[Interview with Chungnam Governor Candidate] Kim Tae-heum "Customized Balanced Development Divided into 5 Regions"

Kim Tae-heum, People Power Party Candidate

'Strong Chungnam, Strong Governor' Slogan
"Regain Local Power, Support Yoon's Success"

Kim Tae-heum, People's Power candidate for Governor of Chungnam Province (Provided by the campaign)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "The Democratic Party of Korea has so far carried out a bland and ineffective provincial administration. I will overcome the lack of presence in leadership and make Chungnam the core of the Republic of Korea."

Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate for Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, stated this in an interview with Asia Economy on the 27th, explaining that this is the reason for his slogan "Strong Chungnam, Strong Governor."

Kim, who served as the Deputy Governor for Political Affairs of Chungcheongnam-do and a three-term member of the National Assembly, has given up his current parliamentary seat to run for governor. He said, "The June 1 local elections are a crucial election to reclaim local power and support the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration," adding, "I will respond to the party leadership's earnest request to run by winning in Chungnam, the core of the Republic of Korea, and achieving a complete regime change."

Below is a Q&A with candidate Kim.

- What is the most urgent issue in Chungnam?

▲ It is resolving polarization and achieving balanced regional development. During the industrialization process, imbalances between the northwest, inland, and east-west areas of Chungnam have deepened. According to a survey by Chungnam and the Korea Employment Information Service, 10 out of 15 cities and counties in Chungnam are at risk of population extinction. Balanced development ultimately comes down to economic growth and job creation, so a regional development strategy that leverages the characteristics and features of each area in Chungnam is key. We must achieve balanced development through regional development based on a vision and plan looking ahead 50 years into the future.

- What are your main pledges?

▲ I will divide Chungnam into five regions and achieve balanced development with customized pledges suited to each area's characteristics. First, I propose extending the metropolitan area express train GTX-C line to Cheonan and Asan, and creating the Asan Bay Valley. For Dangjin, Seosan, Taean, Boryeong, and Seocheon, I propose establishing an international marine leisure tourism belt by building the Chungcheong Industrial Culture Railway and the Boryeong Global Marine Leisure infrastructure. Hongseong and Yesan will be developed into an administrative central complex city as the Naepo Innovation City, and the Baekje cultural zone including Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang will have a cultural complex. Lastly, I will work to attract the Army Academy and the Ministry of National Defense to Gyeryong, Nonsan, and Geumsan.

- What is your personal strength?

▲ For the first time in half a century, a president from Chungnam (my father's hometown) has been born. We must actively utilize this opportunity to achieve groundbreaking development in Chungnam. This is why a powerful governor from the ruling party is needed.

- What is your final election strategy?

▲ For the past 12 years, the people of Chungnam have given the Democratic Party a chance. However, nothing has improved. The Democratic Party's 12 years of provincial administration were bland and yielded no results. They failed to leverage the advantages of being the ruling party. I will demonstrate leadership that delivers strong drive and definite results for Chungnam's development. I will lead Chungnam's progress as one team with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

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