[Interview] Jeong Cheolwon, Damyang County Governor: "Laying the Foundation for the Development of 'Millennium Damyang'"

Creating the Top Inland Tourism Destination as an Ecological, Garden, and Cultural City
Promoting Transparent County Administration through Communication and Harmony
Fulfilling the 'Odamm (Five Dams) Happiness' Promise Made to Residents
"Residents Chose a 'Person Who Will Work,' Not a Political Party"
"Short Term... Accelerating Projects by Setting Priorities"

In the by-election held on the 2nd, Jung Chulwon, the candidate from the Joguk Innovation Party, drew nationwide attention by defeating the Democratic Party candidate to become the governor of Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do. Governor Jung Chulwon, who has served three terms as a member of the Damyang County Council and also as the council chair, stated, "I will do my utmost for a new leap forward for Damyang."

In particular, Governor Jung commented on his victory, saying, "I believe the residents chose not a political party, but a person who will work," and emphasized, "I will carry out the 'Odamm (Five Dams) Happiness' promise I made to the residents during the campaign, and also successfully complete the pledges of the previous governor to lay the foundation for the development of 'Millennium Damyang.'"

On the afternoon of the 16th, we visited Governor Jung's office to hear about his future plans and vision for county administration.

Jung Chulwon, the mayor of Damyang County, is expressing the future direction and aspirations of the county administration in an interview with Asia Economy held on the 16th in the mayor's office. Provided by Damyang County

- Congratulations on your election. Please share your thoughts.

▲ First, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the people of Damyang. As you have trusted me and chosen me as your governor, I will lead the county administration with a strong sense of responsibility. I have lived my entire life in Damyang, working with the residents to bring about changes in the region. Now, as governor, I will do my best for a new leap forward for Damyang. For the future of Millennium Damyang, I will firmly lay the foundation for Damyang's development 'with more honesty, more thoroughness, and more principle.'

- For 30 years since the implementation of local autonomy, the Democratic Party has maintained a stronghold here, yet you won as a Joguk Innovation Party candidate. What do you think was the driving force behind your victory?

▲ I believe the biggest driving force that led the residents to choose me as the first local government head from the Joguk Innovation Party was their desire for change. That is why I asked them to look at the person, not the party. I emphasized that what matters more than party affiliation is someone who knows this region better than anyone else and has practical experience. I believe that sincerity resonated. I will live up to the residents' trust, help them feel the change in Honam politics, and further make Damyang the center of political change in Korea.

- In this election, you used the catchphrase 'Our Neighborhood Governor Candidate, Three-Term County Council Member Jung Chulwon.' There is also analysis that the slogan 'Daeminkunjo' (President: Democratic Party candidate, Governor: Joguk Innovation Party's Jung Chulwon) played a significant role in guiding public sentiment. What are your thoughts?

▲ The slogan 'Our Neighborhood Governor Candidate, Three-Term County Council Member Jung Chulwon' was not just a promotional phrase, but a symbolic expression of my deep knowledge of Damyang's administration. The phrase 'Daeminkunjo' also reflected the public's sentiment that, at the local level, they should choose someone who can work for the region, rather than following the central political structure. I believe that focusing on who can lead the region stably and who has direct administrative experience with the residents earned their trust.

- Why do you think the residents chose you as governor?

▲ As I mentioned earlier, I believe the residents chose a person who will work, rather than a political party, in this election. I have long been active in the region, listening directly to the voices of the people and striving to bring about real change. In particular, emphasizing communication with the residents and presenting realistic policies and plans for county administration seem to have resonated with many people.

Jung Chulwon, the mayor of Damyang County, is expressing the future direction and aspirations of the county administration in an interview with Asia Economy held on the 16th at the mayor's office. Provided by Damyang County

- As a candidate, what was the most difficult part of the election process? Are there any problematic local election practices or loopholes in the electoral system you would like to point out?

▲ The biggest challenge was the short preparation time, as this was a by-election. Also, running as a member of the relatively small Joguk Innovation Party meant I had to overcome organizational limitations. However, as always, I prioritized communication with the residents until the end and appealed for support based on policies and vision, which led to a good outcome. Currently, negative strategies of mutual slander are rampant in local elections, rather than competition over policies. The culture of local elections must also change. Candidates should approach voters with policies, not criticism of opponents. I believe that healthy competition, or a 'competition to do better,' is necessary for political development. I hope a more mature election culture will take root in the next local elections.

- Since this was a by-election, you have about one year and two months left in your term. Is it possible to fulfill all the pledges you made during the campaign?

▲ Given the short term, it is true that it will be difficult to achieve everything, but I will prioritize and push forward with feasible tasks among my pledges. My main pledge, the 'Odamm Happiness' promise, is a blueprint that points the way for Damyang's future, rather than focusing on short-term achievements. For issues that are difficult to implement or require long-term efforts, I will first establish the policy design and institutional foundation so they can be continued in the next administration. As I said during the campaign, I will prioritize the stability of the county administration, successfully complete the pledges of the previous governor, and lay the foundation for the development of 'Millennium Damyang.'

- Among your pledges, relocating the county office, creating the Dambit Tourism Town, and developing the Dalbit Inland Railway Damyang Station area all require significant budgets. There are concerns that it will be difficult to proceed without support from the Democratic Party, which holds political power, especially in securing national funds. How do you plan to overcome this?

▲ There are no party lines when it comes to the desire for the development of Honam. I believe the Democratic Party thinks the same way. As these are essential projects for regional development, I expect they will actively support them with the heart of thinking beyond party lines for Honam. I also plan to request that the Joguk Innovation Party make the exemption of the preliminary feasibility study for the early construction of the Dalbit Inland Railway a party policy.

Jung Chulwon, the mayor of Damyang County, is expressing the future direction and aspirations of the county administration in an interview with Asia Economy held on the 16th in the mayor's office. Provided by Damyang County

- During your three terms as a county council member, you were recognized as a grassroots politician who protected Damyang, and you proposed various practical ordinances, such as those protecting public officials from malicious complaints and supporting the prevention of electrical fires. Now, as governor, please share your vision and plans for policies to benefit the residents.

▲ Let me explain the 'Odamm (Five Dams) Happiness' promise I made to the residents.

First, I will make Damyang the number one inland tourism destination as an 'ecological, garden, and cultural city.' I will connect tourism resources from the traditional market to Juknokwon, Gwanbangjerim, and Metaprovence to create the Dambit Tourism Town for extended stays. We will host the Jeollanam-do Garden Festival based on ecological and garden resources, and nurture healing professionals centered on Jeonnam Provincial University to establish a health, healing, and wellness tourism hub.

Second, I will make Damyang a place to live, rest, and work happily. We will build a tailored support system for infants and youth under 18, making Damyang a great place to raise children. We will promote rural public social housing for seniors over 65, 10,000-won housing for youth and newlyweds, and establish semi-public village nursing homes to provide care, nursing, and support services for local seniors in need.

Third, I will create a sustainable agricultural and rural Damyang with income. We will expand the criteria for farmer allowances and gradually introduce a basic rural income system. By developing precise growth management programs for each crop and livestock type, we will strengthen agricultural competitiveness and provide high-quality, sterile strawberry and tomato seedlings year-round using smart farms. We will expand contract farming of eco-friendly agricultural products for school and public meal support and establish an integrated food support center.

Fourth, I will make Damyang a self-reliant urban-rural convergence economic city. We will build a northern metropolitan railway network through the early construction of the Dalbit Railway and establish a sustainable development plan. We will attract high-tech industries to the second general industrial complex and foster it as a hub for ESG future growth industries. To revitalize local businesses, we will support vacant store rent, public utility fees, and interest subsidies on loans for small business owners. Through this, we will make Damyang a key hub of the Gwangju-Jeonnam metropolitan economic zone and achieve economic self-reliance through urban-rural convergence.

Lastly, I will create a 'sympathetic administration' Damyang based on communication and harmony. We will nurture young village activists to serve as facilitators in resolving local issues and development tasks within villages. To democratically gather expert and resident opinions on specific public policies, we will establish a public discussion committee to enhance transparency in county administration and build a conflict management system.

- Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to the residents?

▲ First, I deeply thank all the residents who have shown unwavering interest and support for the county administration. I believe the most important mission as governor is to improve the quality of life for each and every resident and to lay a sustainable foundation for Damyang's future. To this end, I will prioritize administrative transparency and communication, listen to voices on the ground, and drive change. However, administrative efforts alone are not enough. For Damyang to achieve greater progress, the active participation and cooperation of the residents are essential. I ask that you move forward together with a love for the region. I, too, will always stand with the residents and do my best for a brighter future for Damyang.