Yoo Seunggwang Runs for Seocheon County Governor on Lee Jaemyung's 45th Pledge

Putting Seawater Circulation at the Geum River Estuary at the Forefront
Presenting a "Direct National Policy Link" Strategy Connecting Administrative Integration and Public Institution Relocation

Dr. Yoo Seunggwang held a press conference at the Seocheon Culture and Arts Center on the 11th and announced he will run for Seocheon County governor in the local elections to be held in June.

On the 11th, Dr. Yoo Seunggwang officially declared his candidacy for Seocheon County governor, putting forward President Lee Jaemyung's 45th campaign pledge, the opening of the Geum River estuary to seawater circulation, as his main platform.

Dr. Yoo chose a strategy of directly linking local pending issues to national policy, taking on the election structure head-on.

On this day, Dr. Yoo held a press conference in the small hall of the Seocheon Munye Arts Center and stated, "Seocheon now needs a county governor who understands national policy and local conditions, and can structure them into budgets and projects," adding, "This challenge is not a repetition but a process of completing a choice that has already been verified."

Present at the site were former South Chungcheong Province Vice Governor for Culture and Sports Na Soyeol, former South Chungcheong Provincial Assembly member Yang Geumbong, Seocheon County Council member Lee Gangseon, Seocheon County Council Vice Chairperson Kim Ajin, former Seocheon County Council Chairperson Cho Dongjun, as well as local political figures, officials of the Democratic Party of Korea, party members, and supporters.

The core agenda that Dr. Yoo has put at the forefront is the ecological restoration of the Geum River estuary. This is the 45th pledge presented by President Lee Jaemyung, centered on ecological restoration through opening the Geum River estuary to seawater circulation and revitalizing the local economy.

Dr. Yoo stressed, "Opening the Geum River estuary to seawater circulation is an issue directly linked to the survival of Seocheon, beyond merely an environmental problem," and added, "Opening the flow of the Geum River, which has been blocked for more than 35 years, is about fundamentally reviving agriculture, fisheries, and the local economy."

He continued, "Ecological restoration of the Geum River estuary is not a matter of 'whether to do it or not' but a national promise that must be fulfilled," declaring, "I will complete this promise in Seocheon."

He also strategically connected the issue of administrative integration. Defining the administrative integration of South Chungcheong Province and Daejeon as an opportunity rather than a crisis, he proposed attracting the second round of public institution relocations, securing the relocation of affiliated agencies following integration, and designating national strategic bases for marine, ecological, and agro-fisheries sectors.

He also presented development plans by sub-region. For the western area, he plans to reorganize industries around ecological tourism and renewable energy, and for the eastern area, he plans to strengthen the local income base by building a "Seocheon-style basic income model."

In addition, he envisions creating a marine bio-industry cluster with the ecological restoration of the Geum River estuary as the axis, and elevating Seocheon into a "marine and ecological capital" by linking blue carbon initiatives with the sixth industrialization of Seocheon laver.

Regarding the Democratic Party primary, he said, "I have proven my competitiveness even in the most unfavorable political landscape," and added, "I will humbly wait for the judgment of county residents and party members."

This candidacy announcement is seen as an attempt to seize the election frame by directly linking local pending issues to national policy agendas. The debate surrounding the opening of the Geum River estuary to seawater circulation and administrative integration is expected to emerge as a key variable in the upcoming Seocheon County governor election.

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