Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok Wins Re-election "Overcoming Honam Marginalization and National Balanced Development"

Jeonnam's Leading Politician Stands Tall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] In the June 1st nationwide simultaneous local elections, Kim Young-rok, the Democratic Party candidate, was elected governor of Jeonnam Province.

By winning re-election, Kim has risen as a leading politician representing Jeonnam.

Born in 1955 in Wando, Jeonnam, he is a career bureaucrat with extensive experience in both central and local government administration.

Despite facing difficult times, including his father's illness and suffering from tuberculosis before university entrance exams, he passed the civil service exam in 1977 while still in college and began his public service career.

After working at the Ministry of Home Affairs, he was appointed mayor of Gangjin County at the age of 39 in 1994 and served as mayor of his hometown Wando County the following year.

In 1997, while serving as Director of the Economic and Trade Bureau of Jeonnam Province during the IMF financial crisis, he led efforts to normalize operations at Samho Heavy Industries, which was facing bankruptcy.

That same year, as Director of the Autonomous Administration Bureau, he introduced the nation's first newborn allowance, and in 2006, upon his appointment as Vice Governor of Jeonnam Province, he played a role in securing the 2012 Yeosu World Expo.

He officially entered politics in 2008 after stepping down as Vice Governor of Jeonnam.

At that time, during the nomination process for the Haenam-Wando-Jindo district of the Unified Democratic Party, he lost to former Haenam County Mayor Min Hwa-sik and ran as an independent. Despite the party's support for Min, allegations of bribery against Min surfaced late in the election, allowing Kim to win the seat.

Kim said, “This election is a victory for the great residents of the province,” and expressed gratitude, “I sincerely thank the residents who trusted and chose Kim Young-rok once again. I will return to my original intention and work even harder for the development of Jeonnam.”

He continued, “During the last election, I traveled through all 22 cities and counties of Jeonnam, listening carefully to each resident’s voice. I received many valuable comments,” adding, “I will not forget the residents’ words, will meticulously address them, actively reflect them in Jeonnam’s administration, and make them the foundation for regional development.”

Furthermore, he pledged, “Representing Honam, I will check the unilateral actions of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, restore Honam politics, and create an era where Honam becomes the center of Korean politics. Through this, I will overcome Honam’s marginalization and lay the groundwork for balanced national development.”

He added, “Over the next four years, I will work alongside residents on the ground to establish the growth engine for Jeonnam’s next 100 years and open the ‘Great Leap, Jeonnam Happiness Era’ and ‘Great Leap, Jeonnam Development Era.’ I will be a governor who works well, leads change, communicates, keeps promises, and is a source of strength for the people.”