Hong Joon-pyo Officially Announces Candidacy for Daegu Mayor... Promises a "Cheonjigaebyeok" Transformation

"Away from the Center, Seeking Glory in Daegu"
Promises of Daegu Integrated New Airport Construction and Expansion of Metropolitan Transportation Network
Kim Jaewon and Yanggang Rivalry... Yoo Youngha and Lee Jinsook Mentioned

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunji Kwon] Hong Joon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, officially declared his candidacy for the Daegu mayoral election on the 31st. He is expected to compete for the party nomination against former People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won, who previously announced his candidacy, as well as lawyer Yoo Young-ha and former Daejeon MBC president Lee Jin-sook.

On the same day, at Sanghwa-dongsan in Suseong-gu, Daegu, Hong stated, “As the friendly competition of the last presidential candidate primary has beautifully concluded and preparations for the new government are underway, I will step away from central politics and restore Daegu’s glory,” officially announcing his candidacy. He presented the slogan “Change Daegu, Restore Daegu’s Glory!” and emphasized, “It is time to achieve Daegu’s leap forward with strong driving force.”

He also proposed specific plans to achieve this. Hong said, “I will make Daegu undergo a complete transformation through national funding for the Daegu Integrated New Airport construction, attracting a hub airline to Daegu Airport, Dubai-style development of the Dongchon rear site, and expansion of a comprehensive metropolitan transportation network.” He also promised to solve Daegu’s water supply issues and attract advanced companies and foreign capital.

This sets up a two-horse race between former Supreme Council member Kim, who declared his candidacy on the 28th, and Hong. Additionally, lawyer Yoo Young-ha, known as “Park Geun-hye’s confidant,” and former Daejeon MBC president Lee Jin-sook are mentioned as candidates. Incumbent Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin announced on the same day that he will not run, giving up his bid for a third term.

Right after declaring his candidacy, Hong responded to reporters’ questions about competing candidates by saying, “I neither recognize nor consider opposing candidates in elections,” adding, “In any election, I just need to do well.”

He also made remarks targeting former Supreme Council member Kim, who is in conflict over the “nomination rules.” Hong said, “They think I won’t run if they impose a lot of penalty points. I have devoted 27 years to this party (People Power Party), so why should I endure penalties and compete in the primary?” Previously, the People Power Party established regulations imposing penalties on incumbent lawmakers and those who ran as independents within the last five years. Regarding this, Hong stated, “It is clearly unfair,” but added, “Since I cannot run without accepting it, I have no choice but to reluctantly accept it.”

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