Yoo Seung-min Announces Candidacy for Gyeonggi Province Governor... "I Will Make Gyeonggi a Place Where Everyone Wants to Live" (Comprehensive)

Job, Housing, Transportation, Welfare, and Childcare Major Reforms
The Next Presidential Election Will Be Judged by Gyeonggi Province Governor's Performance

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is holding an official press conference to announce his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min declared his candidacy for governor of Gyeonggi Province on the 31st.

On the same day, Yoo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and announced, "I will challenge the Gyeonggi Province governor election."

Known to have been contemplating retirement from politics and running for governor of Gyeonggi Province, he said, "What I have deeply pondered the most is whether me, Yoo Seung-min, becoming the head of Gyeonggi Province administration would help the residents of Gyeonggi Province, the people, and contribute to creating a better world," adding, "I have firmly decided to do so."

Yoo said, "I promise to devote all my capabilities, nurtured over 23 years in the heart of politics facing winds and frost, for Gyeonggi Province and for the Republic of Korea," and "I pledge to carry out groundbreaking reforms in five areas: jobs, housing, transportation, welfare, and childcare."

He stated, "I will do everything Gyeonggi Province can to develop its industry and science and technology into a world-leading base of the 4th Industrial Revolution surpassing Silicon Valley in the U.S., to ease regulations, and to nurture talent," and declared, "I will realize the dream of a Gyeonggi Province with good jobs and strong welfare, where people can achieve their dream of owning a home, where commuting is worry-free, and where life, safety, and the environment are cherished."

Yoo said, "I have faced any hardship and thorny path head-on if it was the right path according to my conviction and conscience," and "With my conviction and conscience, I want to lead Gyeonggi Province administration cleanly, rightly, and newly." He added, "If Gyeonggi Province does well, the Republic of Korea does well," and "I will make it the best Gyeonggi Province where anyone wants to come and live."

During the Q&A with reporters, he explained, "I deeply considered quitting politics right after losing the presidential primary," and "It is true that I decided to reveal my intentions right after the presidential election." Yoo said, "If I am given the opportunity to do the kind of politics I have dreamed of all my life, including as governor of Gyeonggi Province, I thought that would be a good path for Gyeonggi Province and its residents, so I decided to challenge."

Regarding criticism that he has no ties to Gyeonggi Province, he said, "It is true that I have no ties," but added, "If me becoming the ultimate person responsible for Gyeonggi Province administration is the right choice for Gyeonggi Province and its people, I will follow that will. Above all, I want to emphasize personal competitiveness." Yoo stated, "I believe Gyeonggi Province has many reforms and tasks necessary for the future more than any other region."

When asked if there was any communication with President-elect Yoon Seok-youl, he said, "There was absolutely no communication," and "I 100% thought it through myself and expressed my own will."

Regarding his future steps if elected governor of Gyeonggi Province, he said, "Whether there is a possibility for the next presidential election while running for governor of Gyeonggi Province now depends on how I perform as governor for four years," and "I plan to devote myself fully to the development of Gyeonggi Province as governor for four years. The next issue depends on the evaluation of achievements over those four years."

When asked if he would meet former President Park Geun-hye when he goes to Daegu, he said, "If I can quietly meet anytime, I would like to meet and have an honest, human conversation about the past years," but added, "However, I have no intention of using that for election purposes or putting on a show as someone starting an election."

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