Um Daeho, former Policy Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, has announced his candidacy for the mayoral election of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, which will be held next year.
On December 18, at a press conference held at the Changwon City Hall Press Center, Um explained his decision to run, stating, "With both the national and local economic growth rates declining and the birth rate falling, Changwon’s population continues to decrease, dropping below one million, making it difficult to maintain its special city status. I can no longer stand by and watch this trend, not knowing when Changwon’s economy might collapse and many citizens could be forced onto the streets, which is why I have decided to run."
Um Daeho, former Policy Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is declaring his candidacy for the mayoral election of Changwon. Photo by Um Daeho, former Policy Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
He presented his main pledges as follows: administrative empowerment; resident-participatory administration; making Changwon the city with the highest birth rate in Korea; developing Changwon into the capital of the Yeongnam region; integrating with Haman County; expediting the establishment of the Bangwimwon Nuclear Convergence Industrial Complex in Dong-eup and Buk-myeon; actively promoting the robot industrial complex; ensuring the smooth development of the Masan Marine New City; and expanding and revitalizing the Masan Digital Export Industrial Complex.
He also pledged to form the Yeongnam Economic Belt connecting Busan, Ulsan, Changwon, Daegu, and Pohang; support the development of the Jinhae New Port; promote tourism by utilizing the coastal areas of Jinhae and Masan; actively advance the development of Buk-myeon New City; strengthen welfare policies for vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly; and foster advanced technology industries, including artificial intelligence (AI) companies.
Um stated, "By carrying out these tasks without setbacks, I will surely revive Changwon’s declining economy and develop Changwon into the capital of the Yeongnam region."
He has previously served as Policy Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Vice President of the Korea Economic Policy Institute, Adjunct Professor at Chungbuk National University, Policy Advisory Committee Member at the Yeouido Institute, Deputy Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee of the Grand National Party, and Evaluation Committee Member of the Gyeongnam Youth Academy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
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