Emphasizing Busan-Gyeongnam Administrative Integration and Transfer of Government Authority
Expresses Confidence in Advancing to Top Four in Party Primary
"What our country truly needs is the creation of a second economic hub, and the top candidate for that is Busan and Gyeongnam."
An Cheolsoo, a member of the People Power Party who has declared his candidacy for the 21st presidential election, visited the Gyeongnam Provincial Government on the 14th and met with Governor Park Wansu, expressing agreement on the necessity of administrative integration and making these remarks.
Ahn Cheolsoo, a member of the People Power Party running in the presidential primary (left), visits the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office and takes a commemorative photo with Park Wansu, governor of Gyeongnam, before a casual talk. Photo by Lee Seryung
Representative An said, "While working as the Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, I realized that among the top 10 economic powers, only our country has a single metropolitan area system, whereas Europe, Japan, China, and others all have multiple economic centers," and added, "If things continue like this, there is nothing ahead for Korea but decline."
He argued that for Korea to make a new leap forward, administrative integration being pursued by Gyeongnam and Busan should be realized in various regions, and during next year's local elections, the constitution should be amended to elevate local governments and delegate central government authority to them.
Representative An stated, "The first thing the state should do is provide incentives to regions that achieve administrative integration," and added, "Logistics networks such as railways and roads should be developed as national projects."
Governor Park agreed, saying, "I believe the only region that can counterbalance the dominance of the capital area is the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region," and "If Gyeongnam and Busan become one through administrative integration, the scale of administration and economy will both grow."
He also said, "Like the United States or China, we need to properly develop cities with economic power and divide administrative functions accordingly, but in our country, all national functions are concentrated in the capital area, which seems to be causing difficulties."
He further added, "It would be good to enshrine the next government's commitment to decentralization in the constitution through an amendment," and "Administrative integration should not only be pursued locally but also be promoted at the central government level, and I hope that presenting regional strategic projects and major initiatives will accelerate integration."
People Power Party presidential primary candidate Ahn Cheolsoo is meeting with reporters at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Press Center to explain campaign pledges related to Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Seryung
Later, Representative An met with reporters at the provincial press center and reiterated the importance of administrative integration and the transfer of government authority.
He said, "It's unfortunate that Ulsan is left out of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, but if Busan and Gyeongnam are combined, a second economic development zone can be created," and added, "To do that, workplaces, schools, hospitals, housing, and cultural infrastructure must be in place."
"Each region should have good companies and good schools so that people can spend their lives there without having to move to other areas," he said. "The fundamental reason for low birth rates and rapid aging is also the unbalanced regional development, which causes young people to move to the capital area after graduation, leaving the provinces to age rapidly."
He also said, "We need to combine budgets for low birth rates, aging, and balanced regional development to truly achieve balanced growth in the provinces," and emphasized again, "For this, administrative integration, constructing regional logistics networks as national projects, and transferring central government authority are essential."
Representative An stressed, "If we do this, our country can also achieve an upward curve and take another leap forward to join the G7."
Regarding the first primary of the People Power Party on the 22nd, he said, "I am confident I will make it to the top four."
He explained, "I have lived a moral life in my own way, have various experiences, and have risked my life for the people, such as volunteering for COVID-19 medical services," adding, "I believe people will recognize that."
"I could never imagine myself having four criminal convictions, twelve crimes, and five trials in my lifetime," he said. "I believe the people have a sense of balance. For that, our party really needs to do better."
Representative An said, "If someone with enormous power in the National Assembly is also given presidential powers, they will exercise authority in administration and judiciary as they please," adding, "People are probably worried about what will happen to the country in five years."
He continued, "It is an unavoidable fact that the side supporting impeachment is likely to win this election," but added, "However, if there is someone in the ruling party who values and protects the constitution, I am confident I can win."
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