"Moon Administration's Real Estate Policy Has Issues, Small Business Owners Suffer"
"Prepare Bold Investment in Northern Gyeonggi for Peaceful Coexistence and Unification"
Kim Dong-yeon, a preliminary candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea, is explaining development plans for northern Gyeonggi at a press briefing held at the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on the 22nd. Photo by Ra Young-cheol
[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Kim Dong-yeon, a preliminary candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea, promised, "I will stop the unilateral and arbitrary actions of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and put into practice the policies that were intended to be promoted in alliance with former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung."
He especially emphasized that investment in northern Gyeonggi is necessary even if inter-Korean relations become strained under the next government.
At a press briefing held on the 22nd at the northern office of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Kim Dong-yeon explained the background of his candidacy with this content and reiterated, "Since Gyeonggi Province is the barometer of success or failure in nationwide local elections, the gubernatorial election in Gyeonggi must be won."
He then presented five directions: 'Future Preparation,' 'Public Safety,' 'Peaceful Coexistence,' 'Balanced Development,' and 'Political Change,' stating that among these, 'Balanced Development' and 'Peace Cooperation' are directly linked to northern Gyeonggi.
He also said, "I am basically in favor of dividing Gyeonggi Province, but preparation is needed to create various conditions including financial aspects," adding conditions.
Regarding the economic failures of the Moon Jae-in administration, Kim said, "There were problems with real estate policies, and I acknowledge that many small business owners and self-employed people suffered pain and hardship due to COVID-19."
He emphasized that he is the right person to lead Gyeonggi Province by stating, "However, during the early period of the current administration when I served as Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy, our country's economy was not that bad."
He also self-assessed, "We achieved a per capita national income of $30,000 and raised the growth rate from the 2% range to 3%."
Kim highlighted the role of Gyeonggi Province, which borders North Korea, as the possibility of strained inter-Korean relations is high under the soon-to-be-launched Yoon Seok-yeol administration.
He stated, "In improving relations with North Korea, I will prepare for bold investment in northern Gyeonggi in anticipation of peaceful coexistence and unification."
However, regarding whether investment is possible amid the tense atmosphere between the two Koreas, he left room for interpretation by saying, "I think the new government will not go as far as confrontation and struggle with North Korea."
At the same time, he placed emphasis on resolving overlapping regulations as a factor for corporate investment.
Kim pointed out, "The situation in northern Gyeonggi is slow development and underdevelopment due to at least five overlapping regulations such as military protection zones, border areas, water supply issues, and environmental protection."
He added, "Since I was in charge of regulatory reform at the Prime Minister's Office, I am the person who can solve regulatory issues better than anyone else."
In response to criticism that the ruling party, which holds the largest number of seats in the 21st National Assembly under the current government, has not eased regulations as much as expected, he said, "The core of regulatory issues includes legal amendments and revising regulations, but there are also solutions in the way public officials work and the government's decision-making system."
Kim promised, "If elected governor of Gyeonggi Province, I will enable companies and economic agents to freely engage in economic activities without regulations by changing the working methods and incentive systems for public officials to address the numerous regulations within the province."
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