Kim Kyung-ho Confirmed as People Power Party Candidate for Gwangjin-gu Mayor

On May 1, Kim Kyungho, former Deputy Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, was confirmed as the People Power Party's candidate for Gwangjin District Mayor in Seoul... Launching the slogan "Changing Gwangjin with Mayor Oh Se-hoon" and establishing the '2040 Gwangjin Urban Planning Plan' to expand commercial areas, upgrade zoning, and actively promote redevelopment and reconstruction... Accelerating urban development including KT site development, new Dong Seoul Terminal construction, cultural and sports promotion center establishment, and attracting Seoul Citizen Hall... Announced 77 practical pledges across 7 sectors including launching a communication committee for district administration development.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (left) and Kim Kyung-ho, the People Power Party candidate for Gwangjin District Mayor. Photo by Kim, showing the candidate visiting Seoul City and discussing local issues with Mayor Oh.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “I will definitely win the local election and lay a great cornerstone for the development of Gwangjin.”

Kim Kyung-ho, former Deputy Mayor of Gwangjin District, has been officially confirmed as the People Power Party candidate for Gwangjin District Mayor in the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections to be held on June 1.

Candidate Kim Kyung-ho declared his candidacy for Gwangjin District Mayor on April 5 under the slogan "A district mayor who changes Gwangjin together with Mayor Oh Se-hoon!" In the region, there were many comments such as "A real worker has come. He is the person who will definitely change Gwangjin District. He is an expert in urban administration."

In the last presidential election, he turned Gwangjin-eul, an impregnable area for the conservative party, into a stronghold. He also won the primary against a former People’s Party candidate who ran five times in Gwangjin District, beating strong candidates from the same party. As the candidate said, "I only look at the residents," residents expect him, saying "He has great perseverance."

Candidate Kim Kyung-ho told reporters, “I think this is the result of the wishes of 350,000 residents who hope for the development of Gwangjin. I sincerely thank you. Especially, I will closely prepare and promptly promote development plans for Gwangjin District together with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who has the authority to decide urban planning.” He expressed confidence in his connection with Mayor Oh Se-hoon, his 30 years of experience in Seoul City, his human network, and his work processes.

Chairman Kim Kyung-ho passed the 31st Administrative Examination and has a solid reputation as a skilled and approachable executive in key Seoul City departments such as Deputy Mayor of Gwangjin District, Head of Seoul City Transportation Headquarters, Director of Welfare and Health Office, Head of Waterworks Headquarters, and President of Seoul Agricultural and Marine Products Corporation.

The main framework of the pledges announced by candidate Kim Kyung-ho on April 5 focuses on urban development of Gwangjin, residents’ safety, improvement of living convenience, and communication with residents, consisting of 77 action plans in 7 areas.

The core is to actively promote a comprehensive plan for urban development through the '2040 Gwangjin Urban Planning Plan,' including expansion of commercial areas, upgrading zoning districts, revitalization of redevelopment and reconstruction, construction of a new office building, hotel, business facilities, and apartments around Guui Station, expansion of commercial areas in Junggok area, upgrading zoning along Dongil-ro, and exploring development plans for the local community following the lifting of height restrictions around Children's Grand Park.

Additionally, to systematically support self-employed and small business owners, he plans to cooperate with the Chamber of Commerce to provide one-stop total services including legal, tax, and financial support, and to promote specialized projects by signing win-win MOUs with large corporations to revitalize traditional markets.

Also, believing that “jobs are welfare,” he plans to improve the operation of an integrated job support center that can connect with local and external companies creating jobs, and to create 7,000 new jobs including youth, 50+ generation, senior, and disabled jobs through New Deal and public jobs, dedicating all efforts to improving residents’ quality of life.

Furthermore, reflecting voices from the field that single-person households and the elderly population are experiencing various inconveniences in daily life, he plans to operate a mobile living civil complaint support center that the district can directly resolve, build cultural and sports promotion centers, and attract the Seoul Citizen Hall, swiftly establishing infrastructure for communication and health promotion for residents.

Above all, he emphasized the importance of “forming a district administration development communication committee.”

Candidate Kim Kyung-ho said, “None of the pressing local issues can be achieved without the residents. I will gather wisdom with the local opinion leader group and start a great journey for the development of Gwangjin, looking only at the residents and for the residents.” He also sent sincere consolation and encouragement to other candidates who participated in the primary.

Kim Kyung-ho, elected as the People Power Party candidate for Gwangjin District Mayor, is 62 years old this year. He graduated from Chonnam National University, earned a master's degree from Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration, and a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Oregon Graduate School in the United States.

Also, Kim, who passed the 31st Administrative Examination and started his public service career in 1988, has served as Head of Seoul City Urban Transportation Headquarters, Director of Welfare and Health Office, Secretary General of Seoul Metropolitan Council (Grade 1), President of Seoul Agricultural and Marine Products Corporation, and Chairman of the People Power Party Gwangjin-eul Party Member Council.

Profile of Kim Kyung-ho, prospective candidate for Gwangjin District Mayor

Name: Kim Kyung-ho (Male)

Birth: 1959, Jangheung, Jeonnam

Affiliation: People Power Party

Education: Master’s in Public Administration, University of Oregon Graduate School; Master’s in Public Administration (completed coursework), Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration

Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Chonnam National University; Graduated from Gwangju Salesian High School

Major Career: Former Deputy Mayor of Gwangjin District, Seoul; Former Head of Seoul City Transportation Headquarters; Former Director of Welfare and Health Office; Former Head of Waterworks Headquarters; Former Secretary General of Seoul Metropolitan Council; Former President of Seoul Agricultural and Marine Products Corporation; Former Chairman of People Power Party Gwangjin-eul Party Member Council; Passed the 31st Administrative Examination