On the 9th, Yoo Youngha (63), Member of the National Assembly (People Power Party) for Dalseo-gap District in Daegu, declared his candidacy for Daegu mayor in front of the former site of the Samsung Sanghoe store in Jung District, Daegu.
In his declaration of candidacy, Yoo stated, "Now is the time when bold decisions for Daegu's very survival are needed," adding, "I am running in the mayoral election to open up a new tomorrow for Daegu."
He presented as his key campaign pledges the attraction of a Samsung semiconductor plant to Daegu and the establishment of a branch of Samsung Medical Center in Daegu.
Premising his remarks on the claim that Daegu is the birthplace of Samsung, Yoo said, "By combining that symbolism with the logistics revolution of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, I will make sure to attract a semiconductor cluster," adding, "According to an analysis by the Seoul National University Economic Research Institute, a single semiconductor fab generates an induced production effect of about 128 trillion won, creates employment for 370,000 people, and produces 2.5 trillion won in tax revenues. Many of Samsung Semiconductor's partner companies will set up operations in Daegu, and it will no longer be a city that young people leave."
Yoo went on to say, "By bringing a branch of Samsung Medical Center to Daegu, I will put an end to the exhausting routine in which citizens must travel to Seoul for treatment," adding, "Even if it means offering exceptional incentives, I will ensure that people can enjoy world-class medical services right near their homes."
In his declaration, Yoo said, "From President Park Geun-hye, I learned that 'trust is the foundation of politics, and politicians must always keep their promises.' Anyone can make promises, but not everyone can keep them," and pledged, "We must not wallow in past glory and remember only yesterday; we must pass on to our children a Daegu of tomorrow that is better than today."
Known as "Park Geun-hye's butler," Yoo passed the bar exam in 1992 and served as a prosecutor for more than 10 years at the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office, the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, and the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office. He later entered politics while working as an attorney, losing three consecutive National Assembly elections in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, before finally winning a seat in 2024 in the Dalseo-gap constituency of Daegu. After former President Park Geun-hye was arrested in March 2017, he became her defense attorney and has long served at her side as her legal representative.
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