Mayor Yoo Calls for Nationwide Expansion of the "Cheonwon Housing" Policy
On April 27, as the second round of the primary election began, Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a presidential hopeful from the People Power Party, and Han Donghoon, former party leader, each visited Yoo Jeongbok, the mayor of Incheon who was eliminated in the first round, to request his support.
While People Power Party candidates have typically met with Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon or focused on visits to the Yeongnam region, it appears they now recognize that public sentiment in Incheon, a city with a population of 3 million, cannot be overlooked.
At 10 a.m. that day, Kim met Mayor Yoo in the mayor’s office at Incheon City Hall and offered words of encouragement, saying, “Mayor Yoo has greater administrative capabilities than I do and performed well as a member of the National Assembly. Although I have many shortcomings, I am still running in the primary.”
Kim also commented on Incheon, stating, “Incheon is home to Incheon International Airport, which receives international attention, as well as Songdo New City. It is a key location along the west coast and a strategic point between North and South Korea, so it will continue to be a frontline city for unification in the future.”
Kim explained, “Korea GM is backed by American capital, and President Donald Trump is trying to impose tariffs on everything. Whether we look to China or North Korea, I will emphasize to President Trump the importance of Korea in the U.S. global strategy and work to reduce tariffs.”
Han also visited Mayor Yoo that day and praised him, saying, “During the first round of the primary, your vision presentation was the most substantial and forward-looking.”
He added, “While other candidates focused on combative rhetoric due to the current situation, you delivered precise and very wise policy remarks in a short time.”
Han acknowledged, “I know well that Mayor Yoo’s experience and expertise can compensate for many of my shortcomings. We all share the goal of building a good country and preventing it from becoming a dangerous one. Please offer me your advice.”
Mayor Yoo, in turn, asked both candidates to push for the expansion of the “Cheonwon Housing” policy?a housing stabilization initiative in Incheon that allows newlywed couples and households with newborns to live in rental housing for up to six years at a monthly rent of 30,000 won?to the national level.
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