Kang: "Building a Hub City of 500,000 Through Industrial Transformation"
Proposes Energy Basic Income and Establishment of a Youth Agency
On the 23rd, Kang Sung-hwi, Vice Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially announced his candidacy for the mayor of Mokpo at a press conference. Photo by Jeong Seunghyun
Kang Sung-hwi, Vice Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference at the Citizens' Room of Mokpo City Council in Jeollanam-do on December 23, officially announcing his candidacy for mayor of Mokpo.
At the press conference, Kang presented the "Mokpo Grand Transformation Vision," centered on three pillars: industrial transformation, restoring population vitality, and fiscal innovation, signaling the start of his full-fledged campaign for next year's local elections.
He stated, "Mokpo is currently facing structural limitations such as population decline, industrial stagnation, and a fiscal crisis. The future cannot be opened with the existing methods. I am running for mayor to create a new growth path for Mokpo together with the citizens."
Kang identified the government's RE100 policy and the energy transition trend in the southwestern region as key, proposing the establishment of an industrial belt based on Mokpo New Port and renewable energy as a core strategy.
He said, "Mokpo must become a hub city for energy transition and a city that attracts new capital," outlining plans to vitalize the local economy by introducing an energy basic income model.
In particular, he emphasized, "Industrial transformation is directly linked to job creation and population policy. I will transform Mokpo into a city where young people do not leave and one they return to."
Regarding youth policy, Kang put forth the establishment of a "Youth Agency" as a key campaign pledge.
He explained, "By consolidating dispersed youth budgets and policies, I will operate the Youth Agency as a bureau-level organization or establish it as a foundation, creating a structure where young people directly participate in planning and execution."
He also stated, "If we do not solve the issues of education and employment, we cannot address the population problem either," adding that he would bring about structural change to prevent youth outmigration by focusing the youth budget and implementing a network-based growth strategy.
Regarding the discussion on the integration of Shinan and Mokpo, Kang said, "Rather than being preoccupied with administrative integration itself, I will focus on building a joint growth belt in the southwestern region," presenting a development strategy centered on interregional functional linkage and cooperation.
Additionally, as a principle for city administration, he emphasized the equitable distribution of power and a democratic administrative system.
He remarked, "What is more dangerous than arrogance or dogmatism is an administration centered around close associates," pledging to restore trust in administration by operating various committees, personnel committees, and contract review committees with a citizen-centered and objective structure.
Kang presented the construction of a southwestern hub city with a population of 500,000 as a distinctive campaign promise. He said, "My strengths are youth and policy-driven determination. I will clearly present economic, population, and industrial policies to persuade the citizens."
In conclusion, he pledged, "I will make Mokpo a hub city for energy transition, a city where young people return, and a city where citizens experience tangible change. I will achieve this wave of change together with the citizens."
Having officially launched his bid for mayor of Mokpo in next year's June 3 local elections, Kang is recognized as an administrative expert who has worked alongside citizens in the field for 38 years, serving three terms as a Mokpo city council member, two terms as a Jeollanam-do provincial council member, and as head of the Jeonnam Social Service Institute.
With extensive experience in both local and metropolitan councils, he has led the resolution of regional issues and policy formulation. During his tenure as head of the Jeonnam Social Service Institute, he was credited with reforming the welfare delivery system and driving public service innovation, demonstrating practical administrative capabilities.
In particular, he is known for his strength in field-oriented policy implementation rather than desk-bound administration, and is recognized for his comprehensive understanding and execution ability across industrial, welfare, population, and youth policies.
Kang emphasized, "Politics must be proven by results, not words. Based on my experience and policy execution capabilities, I will address Mokpo's structural problems and bring about changes that citizens can truly feel."
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