Presidential Candidate Sim Sang-jung: "I Agree with Moving the Administrative Capital, but It Sounds Like a Vote-Grabbing Talk"

Justice Party presidential primary candidate, National Assembly member Sim Sang-jung, is holding a press conference at the Justice Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party Office on the 2nd. Photo by Sanghyun Lee lsh2055@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Shim Sang-jung, a member of the National Assembly from the Justice Party who declared her candidacy for the presidential election, stated that she would "overcome the climate crisis through a green industry transition and simultaneously open a new future for Gyeongnam" as a way to develop Gyeongnam.

On the 2nd, Shim visited Gyeongnam and at an open press conference held by the Justice Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party, she said, "I will make Gyeongnam a 'special zone for a coexistence economy overcoming the climate crisis' where labor, industry, and green coexist in harmony," adding, "To do this, we must first reform the 68-year-old labor law," promising bold investment along with guaranteeing all workers' rights to work, to unite, and to rest.

She also said she would boldly invest in local universities such as Changwon National University and Gyeongsang National University to nurture talents equipped with green innovative technologies and knowledge, making green industry the driving force for regional development.

Regarding the Southeast Mega City, which former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo had focused on promoting, she said, "It was not a bad plan, but now the questions of the era have changed," adding, "Without measures to overcome the climate crisis, it can no longer be a plan for the future."

On the relocation of the administrative capital, she said, "I agree with the direction," but added, "However, a clear roadmap is needed regarding issues such as real estate speculation that may occur during the relocation, special privileges and corruption among public officials, and urban infrastructure development. It is very regrettable that this is being brought up as a way to stir up votes during the election season."

Regarding the arrest of Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which occurred around 6 a.m., she expressed deep regret, saying, "It was an excessive measure mobilizing 40 police units," and "The rights of numerous workers suffering from COVID-19 should not be suppressed under the pretext of quarantine."

Concerning the real estate speculation allegations against Kang Ki-yoon, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party representing Changwon’s Seongsan District, she said, "It has been six months since the police were reported, but there has been no response," adding, "The investigation into Assemblyman Kang will be a touchstone to judge the independence and fairness of the police following the separation of investigative authority between the prosecution and the police."

Finally, Shim appealed for support, saying, "The era in which the metropolitan area grows at the expense of local regions must come to an end," and "I will boldly invest in the regions to firmly promote balanced regional development. That is the only way for the Republic of Korea to become an advanced country that improves the lives of its people."

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