Gangwon Governor Choi Moon-soon Officially Announces Presidential Bid, "I Will Raise the Flag for Regional Issues"

Declaration of Candidacy for Primary on the 3rd at the National Assembly... Second After Gangwon's Lee Kwang-jae

Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Gangwon Province

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Gangwon Province, has expressed his intention to challenge the Democratic Party's next presidential candidate primary.

On the 1st, Governor Choi posted a message titled "A Report to the People of Gangwon Province," stating, "I will challenge the presidential election primary. Before officially expressing my intention to the party, I am reporting to the residents first," and added, "On June 3rd, I will declare my intention to participate in the primary at the National Assembly and convey it to the party."

Governor Choi said, "For the past 10 years, I have devoted everything solely to the people of Gangwon Province. I have maintained limited relations with central politics only for the benefit of Gangwon Province."

He continued, "Not only during the primary period but also until the end of my term, I will do my utmost to resolve the remaining tasks of provincial administration and fulfill the given duties without any setbacks."

He also pledged, "I will raise my voice to directly address issues such as regional population decline, the crisis of local universities, and the outflow of local youth, and advocate for making South Korea a decentralized country."

Governor Choi also shared his feelings about the people of Gangwon Province and Representative Lee Kwang-jae.

He said, "My heart is very heavy. My family and those who care about me tried to dissuade me from running. I was also very concerned about Representative Lee Kwang-jae, who is running together. What worried me the most was the fear of disappointing the people of Gangwon Province."

Governor Choi further stated, "I will appeal to the people as I have done so far. I will admit when I have done wrong. What I promise is that I will make the most sincere promises," reaffirming his determination to run for president.

Governor Choi plans to declare his participation in the primary at the National Assembly on the 3rd and later set up an office in Yeouido to enter the presidential race. His political staff within the Gangwon Provincial Government will also resign en masse.

Governor Choi's presidential candidacy announcement is the second among figures from Gangwon Province, following Representative Lee Kwang-jae (Wonju Gap) on the 27th of last month, and the second among metropolitan governors after Governor Yang Seung-jo of Chungnam Province.

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