"An Era When Residents Are the Governor... We Must Choose Fairness and the Future"
Chun Kyungbae, former Deputy Director for Political Coordination of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his candidacy for Sinan County governor.
Cheon Kyungbae, former Deputy Director of Political Coordination at the Democratic Party of Korea, has officially announced his candidacy for governor of Shinan County in South Jeolla Province in the June 3 nationwide local elections.
On the 25th, preliminary candidate Cheon stated on his social media that he would "create a Shinan where the residents are the true owners," putting forward fairness, change, and a vision for the future as his core slogans.
Preliminary candidate Cheon said that he has accumulated a broad range of experience in political affairs, including serving as a National Assembly aide, working in local administrations such as Seongnam City, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and Gyeonggi Province, as well as in the central government, the National Assembly, and a political party.
He stressed that, through his work with former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, in the office of President Lee Jaemyung when he was party leader, and in the Minister of Justice's office, he "learned innovation and principles, communication and consideration."
He said, "In politics, it is important whom you have worked with and what you have learned," adding, "I will pour all the experience and capabilities I have built up in the party, the National Assembly, local government, and the central government into Shinan."
Preliminary candidate Cheon described the current situation in Shinan as "a structural crisis built up by accumulated failures."
He pointed out, "With a fiscal self-reliance ratio of 6.7 percent, Shinan ranks at the bottom among the 22 cities and counties in South Jeolla Province, and its tourism consumption indicators are also low," adding, "The proportion of single-person households is 41.8 percent, and issues related to aging and the population structure are also serious."
He continued, "There are a host of challenges that must be addressed, including insufficient welfare and medical infrastructure, high living costs due to the characteristics of an island region, and concerns about damage caused by the relocation of Muan military airport," and said, "We need the right person who will put their heads together with residents, listen to their opinions, and carry out solutions."
Recalling his previous attempt to win his party's nomination, preliminary candidate Cheon said, "I chose a difficult path over a path where victory was guaranteed."
He said, "I wanted to correct Shinan's outdated political culture and entrenched vested interests," adding, "It may be disadvantageous, but it is not impossible."
He went on to say, "This election is a choice between the past and the future, a choice between fairness and unfairness," stressing, "It is time for Shinan to enter an era in which the residents themselves are effectively the county governor."
Preliminary candidate Cheon said, "I will be a governor who is proud because I am clean, trustworthy because I am fair, and recognized because I work well," adding, "I will be a governor for all residents."
He also appealed for support by saying, "When the strength of those without power comes together, we can bring about change. Please choose the Shinan of the future, not the Shinan of the past."
Preliminary candidate Cheon plans to soon announce detailed policy pledges and begin his full-fledged election campaign.
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