The Start of a 'War Without Gunfire' Targeting the Jeonju Mayor

Incumbent Mayor Kim Seung-su to Not Run for Third Term, Creating a 'Vacuum'... Former Jeonbuk Trade Promotion Agency Director Jo Ji-hoon Announces Candidacy

Former Provincial Deputy Governor Woo Beom-gi Expected to Run in October... Im Jeong-yeop, Lee Joong-seon, Baek Soon-gi Maintain 'Steady' Moves

Jeonju mayoral candidates. From the left, clockwise: Jo Ji-hoon, Woo Beom-gi, Lim Jeong-yeop, Lee Jung-seon, Baek Soon-gi, Yoo Chang-hee.

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] With Kim Seung-su, mayor of Jeonju, Jeonbuk, announcing he will not run for a third term in next year's local elections, the "war without gunfire" for the now vacant Jeonju mayoral position has officially begun.

First, Jo Ji-hoon (53), former director of the Jeonbuk Economic and Trade Promotion Agency, held a press conference on the 7th and declared his candidacy, saying, "I will run for Jeonju mayor to become a straightforward economic mayor," making him the first among prospective candidates to announce his run.

Former Director Jo promised to make Jeonju a "thriving city" and a "city enjoyed by all."

As solutions, he proposed ▲15-minute city ▲Shared innovation complex for small and medium venture companies and the Palman-yeo Project ▲10,000 young experimenters, 1,000 living labs, 100 innovation models ▲environmental city ▲culture and tourism city ▲Mankyung River Terra City, among others.

Jo, a graduate of Dongam High School and Jeonbuk National University, has served as chairman of the Jeonju City Council, head of the Jeonbuk Social Economy Support Center, and director of the Jeonbuk Economic and Trade Promotion Agency. He ran for Jeonju mayor in 2014 but withdrew midway.

Woo Beom-gi (58), former Jeonbuk Provincial Government Political Deputy Governor, also began solidifying his voter base after resigning from his deputy governor position on the 3rd. Having faced many restrictions as a public official, he is now actively expanding his outreach and listening to public opinion.

He is expected to complete rejoining the Democratic Party soon and officially declare his candidacy around mid-October, after the presidential candidate selection.

Former Deputy Governor Woo stated, "What Jeonju needs now is for citizens not to leave and to be happy here," adding, "For that, the economy must be revitalized, companies must gather, and securing a massive budget is crucial. I believe I am the most optimized candidate for this."

He graduated from Haeseong High School in Jeonju and Seoul National University, entered public service through the 35th Administrative Examination, and has served as Gwangju Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs, Director of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's Long-term Strategy Bureau, and Senior Specialist of the Democratic Party's Budget and Accounts Committee.

Alongside them, candidates mentioned for Jeonju mayor include Im Jeong-yeop (62), former Wanju County Governor; Lee Jung-seon (45), former Blue House administrative officer; Baek Soon-gi (60), former chairman of Jeonju Facilities Management Corporation; and Yoo Chang-hee (61), former Jeonbuk Provincial Assembly vice-chairman, who are currently showing cautious and steady movements.

In the case of former Governor Im Jeong-yeop, he is currently focusing on securing the victory of candidate Chung Sye-kyun in the Democratic Party presidential primary.

Although his rejoining of the Democratic Party was recently postponed, he has expressed strong enthusiasm for running for Jeonju mayor to close associates and acquaintances, and it is known that he plans to proceed with rejoining and candidacy in stages.

Former administrative officer Lee Jung-seon, appointed as vice-chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, is strengthening his support within the party and focusing on preparations for his candidacy.

Baek Soon-gi, former chairman who attracted attention with his sudden resignation, is increasing his chances of running by joining the Democratic Party. Given his close ties with current mayor Kim Seung-su, it is anticipated that he is taking a breather before making an official declaration.

Additionally, former vice-chairman Yoo Chang-hee is reportedly "considering" running. Many expect some form of movement after this Chuseok holiday.

Since the Democratic Party nomination in next year's local elections is directly linked to winning the Jeonju mayoral seat, the fierce competition among these candidates to secure the nomination officially began with former director Jo Ji-hoon's declaration on the 7th, according to political circles in Jeonbuk.

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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