Native Kang Junhyun vs. Weighty Kim Byungjun "The Completion of Sejong, I am the Right Person"

Kang Jun-hyun 'Candidate Who Knows the Region Well' - Kim Byung-joon 'Who Is More Suitable to Persuade on Sejong Tasks?'

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] With the April 15 general election just two weeks away, the election campaign heat is gradually rising in Sejong-eul, considered a battleground district. As the incumbent lawmaker is not running and Sejong has been divided into new districts, a fierce battle is expected between Kang Junhyun, the 'local native' candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Byungjun, a 'heavyweight figure' from the United Future Party.

The Sejong-eul electoral district consists of seven towns and townships north of the Government Sejong Complex, including Jochiwon-eup and Yeongi-myeon, as well as Areum, Jongchon, and Goun-dong. The Chungcheong region is known for not concentrating votes on any single party in past elections, but Sejong has a strong Democratic Party presence. Since the establishment of Sejong City in 2012, Democratic Party-affiliated candidates have won all two general elections and two local elections. However, because it includes rural areas, it is considered to have a conservative tint compared to Sejong-gap, which is delineated only as a new town.

The two candidates met on the 30th and shared similar diagnoses and challenges for Sejong but had completely opposite evaluations and solutions. Both candidates pointed out that although population inflow is high, Sejong is becoming a bedroom community of Daejeon, causing stagnation in local consumption, and that economic imbalance between the northern rural areas and the new town is a major issue to be resolved. They both emphasized that they are the right person to complete Sejong in line with its status as a 'special autonomous city.'

However, Kang Junhyun, who served as Sejong City's Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs, evaluated, "The current state of Sejong is on the development trajectory until 2030." Kang said, "The biggest goal is to complete a practical administrative capital," emphasizing, "We will establish the presidential office and the Sejong National Assembly building to enable Sejong to function effectively as the administrative capital, and we will promote constitutional amendments to enshrine Sejong as the administrative capital."

He also said he would attract universities, companies, government-affiliated committees, associations, and public institutions located in the metropolitan area to the towns and townships to disperse the metropolitan population and solve the economic imbalance within the region. Kang said, "If the population only increases by migration from nearby cities as it is now, the values envisioned by President Roh Moo-hyun could be damaged," adding, "We will create a national industrial complex and provide incentives to attract large corporations from the metropolitan area. This will also help resolve the economic and cultural gaps felt by residents of the towns and townships compared to the new town."

Kim Byung-jun, Future United Party Chungcheong Region Election Committee Chairman. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim Byungjun, who served as the Presidential Chief of Policy under the Roh Moo-hyun administration and directly planned Sejong City as the administrative capital, expressed his thoughts on Sejong's appearance after 14 years. Kim said, "I question whether the sight of only high-rise buildings is truly the dream we had for Sejong," adding, "When we first designed Sejong, we dreamed of a very rural and environmentally friendly space, but now Sejong has many places with nothing but cliff-like concrete apartment buildings and no open spaces. Capital logic came in first," expressing regret.

Kim emphasized that many changes are needed for Sejong City to properly fulfill its role as a 'special autonomous' city like Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. He said, "Although it is called the administrative capital, that is only the first task; more diverse functions and industries must move here," adding, "Through bold decentralization and deregulation, we will enable creative and innovative activities to be carried out in Sejong."

As one example, he mentioned educational diversity. Kim said, "Alternative schools should be able to operate more freely in Sejong. We want mothers to be able to choose the education they want here," explaining, "Mothers can form cooperatives to establish schools, and if there are no major issues, these should be included in the compulsory education system and supported. We want to allow various forms of education to be freely conducted in Sejong."

Both candidates emphasized themselves as the 'right person to complete Sejong' for different reasons. Regarding competition with Kim, who is also considered a potential presidential candidate, Kang said, "I was born here and have lived here for 57 years since moving. I know the history and culture of Sejong, starting from Yeongi County, better than anyone," adding, "I have protected the region and will continue to do so. I am not someone who will leave."

Regarding Kim, who has a political base in Daegu and is seen by some as someone who will eventually leave to run for president, Kim responded, "All the more reason to plant a flag in Sejong and stay here to bring more to the Chungcheong region. I am not from Sejong, but I created Sejong City. If I emphasized origin, I would have suggested moving the administrative capital to Daegu or Dalseong County," he said. He added, "Please see who has more attachment and who is more suitable to persuade that Sejong's challenges are national issues."

Local public sentiment is, in a word, unclear. As confirmed COVID-19 cases spread around the government complex, the election atmosphere has been slow to develop. Additionally, confusion due to the division of electoral districts was sensed. Mr. Kim, in his 60s, met near the Sejong City riverside, said, "I don't even know who my local candidate is. I used to be very interested in politics, but I don't know which district I belong to or who the candidates are," adding, "In the end, I think I will vote based on the party."

A man in his 70s said, "I was originally with the Hannara Party (predecessor of the United Future Party)," but added, "They only look out for their own interests, and now I dislike all of them."

A taxi driver in his 50s said, "I support the Democratic Party unconditionally. Aren't they the ones who developed this area a lot?" There was also a sentiment of disappointment with the party's actions after regaining power. Mr. Park, a taxi driver in his 40s, said, "All my friends originally supported the Democratic Party, but many turned away after the Cho Kuk incident," adding, "I will choose a candidate who will firmly establish Sejong as a genuine administrative city, with good educational conditions and high educational enthusiasm, and who will refine these aspects well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.