Choi Kibong Registers as Preliminary Candidate for Geochang County Mayor... "Overcoming Regional Crisis Through Economic Transformation"

Key Pledges Include Energy Income Redistribution and Attracting National Opportunity Development Zones

Emphasis on Budget Securing and Job Creation Strategies Based on Central and Provincial Government Experience

On March 22, Dr. Ki Bong Choi of the People Power Party officially registered as a preliminary candidate for Mayor of Geochang County and unveiled his election platform centered on transforming the regional economic structure.

Immediately after registering, Choi identified the region’s complex crises—population decline, weakening of local finances, economic stagnation, and climate change—as major challenges. He emphasized a “future-oriented transformation” and “performance-driven administration” as key policy directions to address these issues.

Choi presented his capability to secure funding, based on his experience in central and provincial government affairs, as well as his strong cooperative network with the central government and related institutions. He stated that he would use these strengths to expand local investment and attract businesses to the region.

Photo of Ki Bong Choi, preliminary candidate for Geochang County Governor

He particularly highlighted budget expansion and job creation as core elements for regional development, explaining that he aims to broaden the fiscal base by securing more national and provincial funding and by attracting private investment.

Choi set three main pillars for his policy direction: ▲income ▲industry ▲tourism.

First, the “energy income annuity” is designed to return profits from hydrogen and renewable energy projects to the county’s residents, thereby establishing a sustainable source of local income.

He also outlined plans to restructure the region’s industrial base around future industries such as elevators, drones, and mobility by attracting designation as a National Opportunity Development Zone, thereby encouraging industry clustering and job creation.

In the tourism sector, Choi announced plans to develop a stay-type tourism belt to boost local spending and revitalize the commercial district, and to reorganize the Gajo Hot Springs District into a comprehensive tourism hub that integrates accommodation, wellness, and recreation functions.

Regarding administrative operations, he identified strengthening transparency and fairness in the contract and personnel systems as primary tasks. His policy is to raise public trust in administration by increasing the disclosure of private contracts and implementing competency-based personnel management.

Choi also proposed systematizing investment attraction efforts by reinforcing dedicated functions for business attraction and operating external cooperation hubs.

He stated, “This election is a crucial juncture for determining the direction of regional development,” adding, “Based on policy execution, I will restore the local economy and establish a foundation for sustainable growth.”

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