Shin Junghun Says "No to Regional Division" ... Criticizes Joo Cheolhyeon

Expresses Disagreement with Joo's "East Jeolla Marginalization Theory" on Social Media
Not in Line with Democratic Party Values... "Now Is the Time for Unity and Coexistence"
Joo Responds, "Ignoring Real Issues Is an Abdication of Responsibility

Shin Junghun

Shin Junghun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Naju and Hwasun, expressed his unusual disappointment regarding fellow party member Joo Cheolhyeon's (Yeosu-gap) stance on the so-called "East Jeolla marginalization theory," urging him to "stop inciting regional division."

On November 20, through his social media account, Assemblyman Shin stated, "Next year's Jeollanam-do gubernatorial election should be a festival of unity that opens a new future and overcomes the crisis of extinction faced by 1.78 million residents." He continued, "However, signs of the regional division we were concerned about have begun to appear. Such remarks, which can only be interpreted as an 'East Jeolla marginalization theory,' came from someone (Assemblyman Joo Cheolhyeon) who intends to run for governor."

The previous day, Assemblyman Joo was reported to have made comments such as, "I will correct Jeonnam’s economic map, which is shifting toward the western region, to achieve balanced development," "Governor Kim Youngrok's western region-centered policy proposals excluded two-thirds of Jeonnam," and "I will restore the tilted balance."

Assemblyman Shin said, "I am not saying that all of your criticisms of Jeonnam’s administration in recent years are wrong. However, if your diagnosis is based on an 'East Jeolla marginalization theory' that does not actually exist, I cannot agree with it," emphasizing, "Above all, this is not in line with the values of the Democratic Party. It sounds almost like a declaration to run the election campaign on the basis of the East Jeolla marginalization theory."

He added, "What we need now is not regional division, but unity and coexistence," and stated, "The future of Jeonnam can only be fully realized by integrating the province through initiatives such as the 'revitalization of the Yeosu National Industrial Complex,' 'the transformation of the Gwangyang steel industry ecosystem,' 'the innovation of Suncheon and Yeosu tourism,' 'the attraction of upstream and downstream industries for the Solar City AI data center,' and 'turning Shinan’s offshore wind power and Muan Airport into key hubs.'"

In response, Assemblyman Joo also stated on his social media account that day, "The marginalization of East Jeolla is not just a political slogan but a reality. Ignoring real problems is, in fact, a dereliction of a politician’s responsibility."

Meanwhile, both Assemblyman Shin and Assemblyman Joo are preparing to run in next year’s Jeollanam-do gubernatorial election.

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