Candidate Hong Nampyo Clarifies Controversy, "Not Opposed to Starfield Changwon"

A post by Hong Nampyo, the People Power Party candidate for Changwon mayor. [Image source=Screenshot from a certain cafe]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Hong Nampyo, the People Power Party candidate for the special mayor of Changwon, Gyeongnam, is facing strong backlash after posting content on his blog that seemed to oppose the construction of Starfield Changwon.

On the 11th, Candidate Hong posted on his Naver blog, "I had a meeting with the Masan Integrated Merchants Association," along with a photo taken with the merchants.

Below the photo, the text read, "The rapid disruption of the commercial ecosystem by large platform-type shopping malls should be avoided."

Citizens of Changwon who read the post unanimously agreed that the "large platform-type shopping mall" referred to the 'Starfield Changwon' currently under construction near Unicity in Jungdong, Uichang-gu, Changwon.

As critical comments about the content continued to pour in, Candidate Hong's team deleted the post, but screenshots of the post spread on internet cafes frequented by Changwon citizens, and public outrage did not subside.

Some comments from related posts. [Image source=Screen capture from a certain cafe]

A significant number of citizens expressed frustration, saying, "Is he someone who doesn't know what benefits Changwon?" and "Why must we only go to traditional markets? We've waited years for Starfield."

Disappointment was also voiced with comments such as, "I have no intention of voting for a candidate who is blind and deaf to the wishes and hopes of the citizens," and "It's deplorable that a candidate with a mindset focused on traditional markets is running when Starfield was approved by a citizen vote long ago."

Most comments indicated withdrawal of support for Candidate Hong and criticized his lack of understanding of Changwon.

On the 16th, Candidate Hong explained at a pledge announcement event, "Recently, some posts on SNS suggested that I only support traditional markets and oppose Starfield Changwon itself, but this misunderstanding stems from a miscommunication of my true intentions," adding, "I will fulfill the role of mediator to ensure the swift groundbreaking and completion of Starfield so that citizens' leisure activities can be enriched."

He also promised to modernize existing commercial facilities such as traditional markets and expand surrounding infrastructure to develop alongside the large shopping mall.

Starfield Changwon is being built on commercial land in Jungdong, Uichang-gu, developed after the relocation of the Army's 39th Division, with an investment of 560 billion KRW. It will have 7 underground floors and 5 aboveground floors, covering a total area of 242,380 square meters.

The mall will include shopping facilities, Aqua Field, warehouse-type stores, a cinema, sports facilities, and parking, and is scheduled to open in 2025. It is considered a project of high public interest, having been selected as the first public deliberation agenda in Changwon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.