[22nd Rising Star]⑪ 'Yeongdo Native' Jo Seung-hwan "Making Jung-gu Yeongdo a Maritime Capital"

Editor's NoteThere are 131 first-term lawmakers entering the 22nd National Assembly. This is the lowest number since the 16th National Assembly in 2000, which had 112. The public hopes that these lawmakers will lead politics of dialogue and compromise amid a situation where the ruling party is in the minority and the opposition in the majority, producing tangible results. We introduce the elected officials expected to bring a fresh breeze to the 22nd National Assembly. ①Park Ji-hye ②Go Dong-jin ③Gwak Sang-eon ④Park Soo-min ⑤Park Chung-kwon ⑥Seo Myung-ok ⑦Lim Mi-ae ⑧Choi Eun-seok ⑨Boo Seung-chan ⑩Wi Seong-rak ⑪Jo Seung-hwan

Jo Seung-hwan, the People Power Party elected official, won in his hometown constituency of Busan Jung-Yeongdo District and entered the 22nd National Assembly. He was born and raised in Yeongdo, Busan, and began his public service career at the Yeongdo District Office, making him a native. After concluding a 30-year public service career last year as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, he entered politics. This is due to his strong belief that the practical skills he has accumulated will serve as a foundation for regional development. Although Jung-Yeongdo District is adjacent to the sea, it is considered the most neglected area in Busan. Jo’s pledge to "dedicate himself to regional development" is not mere rhetoric but embodies a desire to improve the lives of his underdeveloped hometown and its residents.

"Three generations have lived in Yeongdo District since liberation, and Jung District was my father's place of livelihood." Jo said he nurtured his dreams from childhood while holding his parents' hands and looking at the sea from Yeongdo Bridge. He added, "I still deeply cherish the love and encouragement of my great-grandmother, who enabled me to look beyond the sea to a bigger world." Before entering Korea University’s Department of Law, he enrolled in the Korea Military Academy, reflecting his lifelong dream of serving the nation and its people. Jo recalled, "I worked tirelessly during my school years to achieve a life dedicated to the country through my own abilities," and "It was a time of effort to create the nourishment to walk the right path sincerely."

Jo Seung-hwan, the elected member of the People Power Party, is taking a commemorative photo at the office of the elected official.

After graduating from Korea University, he passed the 34th Administrative Examination in 1991. He said his most memorable experiences were working on coastal and public waters affairs at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and handling port operations and environmental safety at the Busan Regional Office. He mainly managed practical tasks that directly impacted fishermen’s lives. He said, "As head of the Coastal Planning Division, I negotiated with local governments and fishermen’s organizations to allow sea sand extraction, significantly contributing to the construction of Busan New Port," and "I also vividly remember efforts to create new industries such as building energy self-sufficient islands to respond to international regulations." Thanks to his innate work ethic, he also took charge of major tasks in Korea’s shipping industry. He recalled establishing emergency port operation measures at Busan Port during the 2016 Hanjin Shipping court receivership crisis to ensure smooth operations, and leading preparations last August against the discharge of contaminated water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant, which he said he will never forget.

He believes these experiences will help restore the former vitality of Jung-Yeongdo District, Busan’s representative old downtown area. Upon entering the National Assembly, he is preparing to include the Yeongdo area in the third phase of the North Port redevelopment project as his first pledge. He aims to designate Jung and Yeongdo Districts as a special zone under the Busan Global Hub City Establishment Act to develop it into a maritime transportation hub. Jo emphasized, "It has been painful to see national policies distorted into political tools based on political interests," and added, "I believe that consistent policy promotion based on local affection is necessary to achieve sustainable development."

Jo Seung-hwan, elected member of the People Power Party

He also plans to work on abolishing altitude restriction regulations in the highland areas of Jung District. He said, "I will abolish outdated regulations and secure budgets to swiftly promote regional redevelopment," and "I will also establish a tram connecting Jung and Yeongdo Districts and build connections linking Gadeok New Airport with the Bongnae Mountain Tunnel in Yeongdo to expand transportation infrastructure for residents' convenience."

In the 22nd National Assembly, he intends to work on improving the extreme polarization in politics. He said, "There is a saying that bad politics is scarier than a tiger, and I believe politics should be conducted solely for the nation, the people, and the public interest," adding, "I will strive to create a political culture centered on people’s livelihoods and the public good, rather than politics that confronts extremes and pursues gains and losses."