"We Must Completely Overturn the Political Arena and Begin Politics of Unity"
Plans to Participate in the Primary While Retaining Position as Incheon Mayor
Yoo Jeong-bok, mayor of Incheon affiliated with the People Power Party, officially declared his candidacy for the presidential election on the 9th, stating, "I will become a president for constitutional amendment, reform, and the people's livelihood."
Yoo, who is also the chairman of the Korea Association of Provincial Governors, stood solemnly in front of the MacArthur Statue at Incheon Freedom Park that morning, saying, "I stand here with a resolute determination at the historic site where the Incheon Landing Operation was successfully carried out 75 years ago to protect the free Republic of Korea," adding, "I will end politics that trouble the people with lies, hypocrisy, and agitation, and create a new Korea overflowing with truth, justice, and freedom."
He continued, "I will be a president who amends the constitution to end the 1987 constitutional system, a reform president who creates a government that empowers the people, and a president for the people's livelihood who wipes away the tears of those who are struggling and suffering." Yoo plans to participate in the People Power Party's presidential primary while maintaining his position as mayor of Incheon.
Regarding his decision to run, Yoo said, "Over the past few months, we have experienced political confrontation and chaos close to a civil war," and added, "Now, we must completely overturn the political arena that only brings division and pain to the people and start a new politics of unity."
He also expressed his intention to push for constitutional amendment. He stated, "I am the first in the political world to present a completed constitutional amendment proposal from the preamble to the supplementary provisions," emphasizing, "This is on a completely different level from former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's disruptive constitutional amendment, which says 'I agree with the amendment but now is not the time.'"
Regarding reform of the outdated national structure, Yoo promised to reorganize key ministries. He said, "I will reform the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which are not suited to the current era, to the level of dismantlement," and added, "To prevent ranking that disadvantages future generations, I will reform the Ministry of Education and abolish the College Scholastic Ability Test, leaving student selection to university autonomy."
Yoo was born in Incheon and graduated from Songnim Elementary School, Seonin Middle School, Jemulpo High School, and Yonsei University with a degree in Political Science and Diplomacy. He served as appointed governor of Gimpo County, mayor of Seo-gu in Incheon, and elected mayor of Gimpo. He was a three-term member of the National Assembly representing Gimpo. After serving as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Minister of Public Administration and Security (now Ministry of the Interior and Safety), he served as the elected mayor of Incheon during the 6th term (2014?2018) and was inaugurated as mayor for the 8th term in 2022.
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