Former Gyeonggi Governor Lee's Metropolitan Area Pledges
"Seoul, a Global Economic Capital Like New York"
Overhauling Aging Infrastructure in First-Generation New Towns
Lee Jae Myung, former leader and presidential primary candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, pledged on the 25th to transform Seoul into a global economic capital rivaling New York in the United States. He also unveiled a plan to completely overhaul the aging infrastructure of the first-generation new towns (Bundang, Ilsan, Sanbon, Jungdong, and Pyeongchon) and to connect major hubs in the Seoul metropolitan area into a "one-hour economic zone."
Lee Jae Myung, former leader and presidential primary candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Saemangeum 33 Center in Jeonbuk on the morning of the 24th to inspect the Saemangeum area. Photo by Jeonbuk Press Photographers Association Yonhap News
On the morning of this day, Lee announced his pledges for the metropolitan area via social networking services (SNS), stating, "Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi must take the lead in shaping the destiny of the Republic of Korea."
Regarding Seoul, he promised not only to lower entry barriers for redevelopment and reconstruction, but also to pursue increased floor area ratios and eased contribution requirements. Additionally, he pledged to connect the Yeouido financial hub and the Yongsan international business district into a single world-class financial and business center that would attract global capital and companies.
As a former governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee stated, "We will provide investment incentives for the semiconductor mega-cluster being established in Seongnam, Suwon, Yongin, Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek, and Anseong, and will strengthen support for power and water supply to ensure its swift completion." He also emphasized, "The technovalleys in Pangyo, Gwanggyo, Ansan, Yangju, and Goyang will be specialized in IT and biotechnology, gaming and autonomous driving, and the defense industry, to enhance global competitiveness."
He said he would strengthen the metropolitan transportation network, including the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Express Railway (GTX), to integrate Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon into a single economic community. For Incheon, he pledged support to develop it into a global logistics hub by linking the airport, port, and surrounding cities. He also promised to supply comfortable housing to young people and newlyweds without homes through the conveniently located fourth-generation smart new towns.
He also presented a plan to connect major metropolitan hubs into a one-hour economic zone. Lee explained, "Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon must become a unified economic community," adding, "We will ensure that the GTX-A, B, and C lines proceed without delay, and will actively support their extension to the outskirts of the metropolitan area and to Gangwon Province, in order to reduce regions excluded from the GTX network." He also mentioned plans to extend KTX service to Paju and SRT service to Yangju, reaching the northern border areas of Gyeonggi Province.
Regarding agricultural policy, he pledged to amend the Grain Management Act to guarantee stable rice prices. He stated, "Agriculture is not merely a primary industry, but a national strategic industry responsible for balanced development and food security in Korea," and vowed to establish "K-Agriculture Powerhouse." His specific strategies included: realizing compensation for agricultural disasters, expanding smart agriculture, ensuring old-age security for farmers, establishing an advanced national income safety net for farm households, and fostering future growth engines in the agri-food industry.
Meanwhile, in the Democratic Party's presidential primary, Lee remains the frontrunner with a cumulative vote share of 89.56%, drawing attention to who will secure second place. In the Chungnam regional primary on the 19th, Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dongyeon led, but in the Yeongnam region, former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyungsoo took second place. The cumulative vote share difference between them is a mere 0.1 percentage points, so the results of this weekend's primaries are expected to determine the runner-up. The Democratic Party's presidential primaries will continue in the Honam region on the 26th, and in the metropolitan, Gangwon, and Jeju regions on the 27th.
Governor Kim, while emphasizing the "economic president" theme, is the only one among the three candidates to prioritize women's issues in his platform. He stressed that he would not ignore gender issues, pledging to introduce a non-consensual rape law and expand the functions of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Former Governor Kim has focused on regional balanced development under the "megacity" theme. He also plans to drive growth by linking artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and the climate economy with mega-cities in each of the five major regions.
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