Former Changwon Political Affairs Advisor Lee Eun Runs for Mayor of Changwon ... "A New, Citizen-Centered City"

Lee Eun, former Political Affairs Special Advisor to Changwon Special City in Gyeongsangnam-do, officially declared his candidacy for mayor of Changwon in the nationwide local elections to be held on June 3.

On the 24th, Lee held a press conference at the city hall press center and said, "I declare my candidacy as a preliminary candidate for mayor of Changwon in order to no longer postpone Changwon's stalled issues and instead turn them into changes that citizens can truly feel."

He went on to say, "I will reset the framework of Changwon with a citizen-centered approach," adding, "I will create a municipal administration that first resolves citizens' inconveniences and that moves long-stalled pending issues forward."

Lee Eun, former special advisor for political affairs to Changwon City, South Gyeongsang Province, has announced she will run as a preliminary candidate for Changwon mayor in the 9th nationwide local elections. Photo by Lee Seryeong

He first pledged tailored support to revitalize traditional markets and old downtown commercial districts, such as Masan Fish Market, including improving accessibility and promoting policies that encourage longer-stay consumption.

He also promised to set up dedicated task forces (TFs) for key pending projects such as Big Tree, Masan Marine New Town, Gusan Marine Tourism Complex, designation as a national industrial complex, and the Jinhae Ungdong District, in order to sort out the key issues and report implementation schedules and outcomes to citizens.

He further pledged: operation of a dedicated task force for Phase 1 operation of the S-BRT (Super Bus Rapid Transit) arterial bus system and for the overall second-phase construction; a review of the feasibility of introducing a Changwon-style urban railway (tram); expansion of Changwondae-ro to 10 lanes, two-way; expansion of taxi stands; and an increase in parking spaces in downtown Changwon and near residential areas.

He also mentioned the establishment of a "Municipal Administration Council," in which representatives from the five districts, selected by sector and age group, would participate together with the mayor and city officials in a monthly discussion of overall municipal affairs.

He planned a reorganization into a "1-2-3 city hall complex" system by using Lotte Department Store Masan Branch as the second city hall building and Jinhae District Office as the third city hall building.

Additional pledges included: expanding park golf facilities to around 20 locations with a total of 500 holes; reinforcing safety and improving transportation access at NC Park; and replacing the electronic scoreboard and seats, as well as renovating restrooms, at the dedicated arena for the LG Sakers.

He also cited as key pledges: reviewing an increase in the floor area ratio and building coverage ratio for detached houses; creating new special advisor posts for sports and for persons with disabilities; expanding free meal centers for seniors; increasing the number of senior welfare centers; and expanding childcare and eldercare services.

He added further pledges: expanding preferential hiring for local talent by strengthening employment linkage systems between high schools and universities in Changwon and large corporations in the region; attracting a law school to Changwon National University and establishing international middle and high schools; spreading a Changwon-style Nammyung dormitory system; and supporting creative activities by cultural and artistic professionals.

Lee said, "Rather than grand rhetoric, I will be a mayor who sets priorities and executes them," adding, "I will not be a mayor who only shows up during elections, but one who first takes care of people's livelihoods, eases traffic congestion, keeps young people in the city, looks after seniors and the vulnerable, and moves long-stalled pending issues forward."