Three Key Pledges: Sixth Industrialization of Agriculture and Fisheries, Tourism, and Population Measures
“No Roundabouts” ? Critique of Daily Life and Transportation Infrastructure
Presidential Award from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety for
Kim Seguk (54), former auditor of Jeonnam Province, has officially announced his candidacy for Wando County Governor in next year's local elections, expressing strong determination.
In a phone interview with Asia Economy on September 29, Kim stated, "I will become a competent, upright, and warm-hearted leader, going beyond the traditional perception of a county governor as a local magistrate to faithfully fulfill the role of a CEO managing the region."
He added, "With 18 years of experience in central government and 4 years in local government, I am well-versed in both central and local administration. I am the most qualified person to lead the development of Wando. Having conducted audit work for over 20 years, I possess integrity, fairness, and administrative expertise. I am confident that I can ensure balanced development across all 12 towns and townships in Wando County."
Se-guk Kim, former auditor of Jeonnam Province.
Born in 1970, Kim graduated from Gwangju Soongil High School and Yonsei University with a degree in economics, and later from the KDI School of Public Policy and Management. After passing the 46th civil service exam in 2003, he worked for 18 years in central government agencies, including the Board of Audit and Inspection. From 2021 until January this year, he served as auditor (Deputy Director General) of Jeonnam Province, achieving numerous results in policy audits.
Kim presented agriculture and fisheries, tourism, countermeasures for population decline, and strengthening welfare and healthcare as his core pledges. In the agriculture and fisheries sector, he said, "I will establish a sixth industrial complex by integrating agricultural products such as loquat, Dendropanax, and citron with seafood like abalone and seaweed," emphasizing, "Through attracting a meal service center to the second agro-industrial complex and expanding local food stores, I will revitalize the local economy."
He also announced plans to strengthen the fisheries industry by promoting smart aquaculture, breed improvement, establishing fisheries cooperatives and funds, and activating online direct transaction platforms. In tourism, he pledged to increase tourist inflow by expanding accommodation facilities and building hotels, developing local historical figures such as Jang Bogo and Yi Sun-sin as tourism resources, and holding unique festivals in each of the 12 towns and townships.
As measures to address population decline, he said he would promote youth entrepreneurship and job creation, expand jobs for seniors, and attract foreigners. Kim stated, "I will create youth jobs in rural distribution, tourism, and agriculture and fisheries startups, and also expand senior jobs such as tour guides and baristas."
He also promised to attract new residents through the creation of 'training camps' utilizing Wando's mild climate and by promoting 'workation policies.' He presented healthcare and welfare pledges as well. He announced plans to secure essential medical services in three areas-Chedokwon, Noso-bo, and Geumgeumsaeng-introduce telemedicine, provide AI-based welfare services, and strengthen integrated case management, aiming to realize 'prevention-centered welfare.'
Kim also mentioned improving transportation infrastructure in Wando-eup. He pointed out, "While nearby Haenam and Gangjin have many roundabouts, Wando-eup has none," emphasizing the need to install roundabouts to alleviate traffic congestion and save energy. He added, "The streets become very dark after 8 p.m. and there is a lack of streetlights. It is necessary to install LED or solar-powered lights in less populated areas."
In 2021, Kim's 'vacant house maintenance audit' and in 2022, his 'marine waste audit' were selected as outstanding cases by the Board of Audit and Inspection for two consecutive years. In 2023, he uncovered hidden assets worth 820.8 billion won through a special audit of public property in 22 cities and counties in Jeonnam Province. For these achievements, he received the Active Administration Award (Presidential Award) from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Kim, who is noted for having the strongest information network among the county governor candidates, is expected to exert significant influence in this election despite his late entry.
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