Hong Taeyong, Gimhae Mayor Candidate, Announces Innovative Education and Economic Pledges ... Also Urges Candidate Heo Seonggon to Withdraw

Hong Tae-yong, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Gimhae, held a press conference on the 3rd and announced innovative education and economic pledges.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Hong Taeyong, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Gimhae, held a press conference on the 3rd and announced his innovation education and economic pledges.

On April 18, Hong, who presented three goals and six implementation strategies for "a warm and happy city of Gimhae where dreams come true," announced the second implementation strategy on this day.

He emphasized, "Education is the economy," and said, "Only by properly teaching and creating an environment where people can study freely can we guarantee the next 100 years of Gimhae."

He pledged to build educational infrastructure such as strengthening support for excellent high schools, establishing prestigious private and arts and physical education high schools, opening branch campuses of university lifelong education centers, and expanding village schools; introduce the G-Pass Card to support Gimhae youth; establish the Gimhae Research Innovation Park (G-Research Innovation Park); and set up a specialized Gimhae Investment Office (Invest Gimhae) for industry-academia-government cooperation.

He also proposed building new schools to resolve overcrowded classes in Jangyu and Juchon areas, supporting self-learning development expenses for middle and high school students, constructing community-based libraries and cultural centers, significantly expanding funds for small and medium-sized enterprises, issuing Dream Check Cards for job-seeking youth, expanding issuance and affiliated stores of Gimhae Love Gift Certificates, and revitalizing neighborhood commercial districts.

Hong stated, "The 12 years of stagnation in Gimhae, population decline without countermeasures, economic recession, unplanned urban development, and one-sided administration without communication must now change."

He sharply criticized the administration of Mayor Heo Seonggon, who is seeking re-election.

“Mayor Heo boasts that the total regional production in Gimhae has reached 16 trillion won, second only to Changwon City, but the per capita regional production is 29.6 million won, ranking 12th among the 18 cities and counties in Gyeongnam,” he said.

He explained, “Although they claim to be an economic city overflowing with jobs, citizens are hitting their chests with empty wallets,” adding, “As of the end of 2020, 1,945 young people left Gimhae in one year.”

He pointed out that the mayor is only interested in promoting achievements related to pledge fulfillment and has failed to consider the lives of youth.

Regarding the Andong 1 District urban development project in Gimhae, he claimed that so-called "splitting" was carried out, and that the urban development project, which should contain public interest, has left citizens out and only developers remain.

He raised his voice, saying, “Mayor Heo Seonggon should take moral responsibility and resign from the Gimhae mayoral candidacy now to protect the public interest and prevent further harm to good citizens.”

Candidate Hong Taeyong expressed his ambition, saying, “There will be no compromise with unfairness. I will only think about the development of Gimhae and the happy lives of its citizens, and boldly innovate the old framework fairly and justly.”

He appealed for support, saying, “As a passionate communication king, I will work hard and listen to voices from the field,” and “I will create a happy city where dreams come true that Gimhae citizens can feel firsthand.”

Hong plans to continue announcing the six implementation strategies by field every week thereafter.

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