Cho Haejin, People Power Party District Chairman, Announces Candidacy for Gyeongnam Governor ... "Aiming to Make New Gyeongnam the Center of a Second Metropolitan Area"

Cho Haejin, Chairman of the People Power Party Gimhae-eul District Committee, has announced his candidacy for the Governor of Gyeongnam Province in the nationwide local elections scheduled for June.

On January 22, Cho held a press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Press Center, where he declared, "I will run for Governor of Gyeongnam Province in the local elections on June 3."

Cho stated, "Whether it was when I first entered politics in college and decided to make it my lifelong vocation, or during my work in the political sphere and the National Assembly, my goal and direction have always remained the same. I have always aimed for politics that works, politics that executes, and politics that delivers results. Through this, I want to make our community better and improve the lives of the people."

He explained the background of his candidacy by saying, "I believe the time has come to directly challenge that unwavering political goal, ideal, and purpose."

He continued, "We are facing a period of major transformation in which we must redesign the framework of local autonomy for the survival, sustainability, and balanced prosperity of the regions and of Korea as a whole. Gyeongnam should be the first to break free from the regressive path of failed local autonomy and regional decline, and become the 'first penguin' to enter a virtuous cycle of advancement."

He added, "To achieve this, we need proactive and creative leadership that can not only keep up with but also lead the era of great transformation. We need integrative leadership that can unite all of Gyeongnam's assets and potential capabilities, a leader with political experience, and innovative leadership that can bring fresh energy to every area of provincial administration."

He also said, "Our residents have the right to elect a more up-to-date leader and to enjoy better provincial administration than before. This election should not be a lackluster rematch between familiar faces, but a competition of new hope."

Cho Haejin, Chairman of the People Power Party Gimhae-eul District Committee, is announcing his candidacy for the Governor of Gyeongnam Province in the June nationwide local elections. Photo by Lee Seryung

Cho pledged, "I will make Gyeongnam the focal point of a second metropolitan area that can compete with Seoul and the capital region."

He also promised: ▲to pursue global governance for the province by promoting exchanges and cooperation beyond national borders; ▲to achieve balanced regional development and decentralized autonomy by transforming all 18 cities and counties into self-reliant and self-sustaining communities; and ▲to prioritize local, economic, resident, and vulnerable groups in governance, as well as to elevate the political solidarity of the National Association of Provincial Governors.

He declared, "I will pursue an additive, not subtractive, approach to governance," and added, "The governor will not monopolize the authority devolved from the central government but will distribute it evenly among the assembly, public officials, cities and counties, and civil society, to achieve democratic governance based on decentralization, communication, and collaboration, and to foster an administration where public officials can work with enthusiasm."

He further stated, "I will address the chronic issues plaguing Korea-divisive politics, economic polarization, anti-business and anti-market sentiment, labor-management conflict, regulatory gridlock, low birth rates, and youth unemployment-by solving them first in Gyeongnam. I will initiate the remodeling of Korea's system in Gyeongnam so that a new Korea can begin here."

Regarding the administrative integration of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, he said, "I will establish an integrated local government for the region as soon as possible. Although the motives, content, and quality of the integration led by the government are not 100 percent satisfactory, I believe that when the opportunity for integration arises, we should move quickly to achieve it, and any shortcomings can be addressed afterward," emphasizing the need for swift action.

Cho concluded, "If anyone asks about the future of Korea, I will tell them to look at Smart Gyeongnam, Power Gyeongnam, and Global New Gyeongnam. I will faithfully respond to the aspirations of the residents who expect a new leap forward for Gyeongnam through change and dynamism."