Support declarations and policy agreements from youth groups adopted as campaign pledges
[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Heo Seok, a preliminary candidate for Suncheon mayor (Democratic Party), who is stepping up preparations for the primary election after passing the cutoff, announced on the 22nd that policy agreements and endorsements from local organizations are continuing.
On the 15th, at the Suncheon Railroad Labor Union Hall, he signed a "Policy Agreement for the Public Development of Railroads" with the Honam Headquarters of the Railroad Labor Union (Head Lee Haeng-seop).
The agreement commits to joint efforts for the early opening of the Jeolla Line high-speed railway, introduction of KTX to Suseo, electrification of the Gyeongjeon Line, ecological utilization of railroad closures and cultural resources, and the establishment of the nation's first Cheolwoo Hall, while also expressing support for Heo Seok, the preliminary candidate for Suncheon mayor.
On the following day, the Suncheon Native Seed Association (President Lee Bok-soon) signed a "Policy Agreement for Seed Sovereignty in the Era of Climate Crisis," promising preservation and cultivation of native seeds, formation of a dedicated native seed team, and promotion and branding of native crops and seeds.
On the same afternoon, at the Suncheon YMCA auditorium, the Suncheon Farmers' Association (President Yoon Il-kwon) and the Suncheon Women Farmers' Association (President Lee Soon-rye) signed policy agreements with candidate Heo Seok and declared their support.
With the Farmers' Association, a "Policy Agreement for Sustainable Agriculture in Suncheon" was signed, pledging to allocate more than 15% of the city budget for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, promote an increase in farmers' allowances, build a farmers' hall, and expand measures to compensate production costs for major agricultural products.
With the Women Farmers' Association, promises were made to establish comprehensive measures to support women farmers, operate a women farmers' center, set up a dedicated team for women farmers, and distribute native seeds.
Yoon Il-kwon, president of the Farmers' Association, said, "I hope agriculture will be an agenda item even in local elections, and that a mayor who serves agriculture will be elected." Candidate Heo Seok promised, "Having been born in the countryside and knowing rural realities better than anyone, I have made efforts, but there are many shortcomings. If elected with your support, I will definitely implement the policy agreements."
In addition, endorsements from various organizations, large and small, such as the Suncheon Disabled People's Solidarity (Representative Woo Eun-seon), "United Youth," and "Suncheon Love, Child Love," have continued.
On the 20th, Kim Bong-gon, head of Cheonghakdong Etiquette School, and his daughter, trot singer Kim Da-hyun, visited the campaign office to offer encouragement and support.
The campaign headquarters of preliminary candidate Heo Seok for Suncheon mayor plans to adopt and reflect the contents of agreements and demands from supporting organizations as final pledges.
Meanwhile, candidate Heo Seok is from Haeryong-myeon, Suncheon, graduated from Suncheon High School and Seoul National University’s Department of Economics, and has served as director of the Labor Issues Research Institute at Dawn and co-chairman of the Jeonnam joint election campaign for presidential candidate Moon Jae-in.
In the 2018 Suncheon mayoral election, he was the only Democratic Party mayor elected in the three cities of the eastern Jeonnam region and is currently serving as the 7th elected mayor of Suncheon.
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