Yeoju Mayoral Candidate Jeong Deukmo: "Transforming Yeoju from a City of Regulation to a City of Opportunity through Science"

Jeong Deukmo, People Power Party Candidate for Yeoju Mayor, Presents Policy Vision
"Environment and Economy Are Issues of Coexistence" ... Declares Vision for Yeoju's Resurgence
"Yeoju Stuck in the 20th Century Will Be Revitalized Through Science and Technology"
"Scientific Water Quality Management to Break Through Regulations... Advocates Gradual Deregulation"

"I will revitalize Yeoju, which has been stuck in the 20th century, through science and technology."

Jeong Deukmo, spokesperson for the People Power Party Gyeonggi Province, is holding a press conference announcing his candidacy for mayor of Yeoju on the 7th. Photo by Mirae Research Institute

Jeong Deukmo (67), the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Yeoju, held a New Year’s press conference on the 7th and officially announced his policy vision for Yeoju’s resurgence, stating, "I will resolve the various regulations that are strangling Yeoju through a 'scientific approach,' transforming Yeoju from a 'city of regulation' into a 'city of opportunity.'"

During the press conference, Jeong described the current state of Yeoju as a "frozen land" where, despite its location in the Seoul metropolitan area, the population remains stagnant and industry is underdeveloped. He particularly pointed out that overlapping regulations such as the Han River Act and the Water Supply Act have infringed upon citizens’ property rights and kept the local economy among the lowest in Gyeonggi Province, likening the situation to "a frog in a well" and signaling the need for strong change.

Jeong’s key solution is "scientific and selective deregulation." Emphasizing his expertise as a water specialist in the United States and a certified water and sewage engineer, he explained, "By utilizing the dramatically advanced modern water treatment technologies, it is possible to maintain the Namhan River’s water quality at Grade 1 while also enabling reasonable deregulation." Specifically, he plans to secure development capacity through the expansion of sewage treatment plants and flexible operation of the Total Pollutant Load Trading System, and to obtain conditional approval from the Ministry of Environment.

He also presented a strategy to actively utilize the Total Water Pollution Load Management System, which is fully implemented in the Han River basin, to secure additional pollutant load capacity by expanding sewage treatment plants, introducing advanced treatment processes, installing non-point source pollution reduction facilities, and increasing green spaces and forest belts.

Jeong identified the pollutant load trading system as another key tool, explaining, "If necessary, we can purchase excess capacity or sell reductions, allowing for flexible management of both development and the environment." In addition, he aims to achieve deregulation such as conditional approval from the Ministry of Environment through water quality impact assessments and environmental management plans based on scientific water quality analysis and environmental monitoring.

He also emphasized eco-friendly urban design. Jeong stated, "We will foster Yeoju as a model city for non-point source pollution reduction by applying Low Impact Development (LID), and will prioritize the introduction of retention-type and vegetative treatment methods using stormwater retention basins, reed beds, and grasslands to enhance the city’s contribution to public water quality improvement in environmental impact assessments."

He proposed designating special zones by the central government as a breakthrough. Jeong plans to simultaneously pursue national funding and deregulation by attracting national core strategic industries such as the Yeoju Advanced Glass Cluster (anchored by KCC) and an AI Drone Hub.

Jeong cited the example of the Geongan Stream waterfront area being deregulated during the development of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster, asserting, "It is entirely possible for Yeoju as well."

In conclusion, Jeong strongly expressed his intention to run, stating, "Environmental goals and economic development are not conflicting but are issues of coexistence. Through science, technology, and rational institutional reform, I will transform Yeoju from a 'city of regulation' to a 'city of opportunity.'"

Jeong, whose hometown is Heungcheon-myeon in Yeoju, attended Heungcheon Elementary and Middle Schools, Cheongju High School, and Yonsei University. After passing the national technical exam in 1983, he served over 33 years as a public official at Seoul City Hall and retired as director-general in 2018.