Sukjun Hong, Daegu Mayoral Candidate: "Ending Daegu's 30-Year Stagnation Through 'AX Innovation' and 'Responsible Administration'"

An Economic Expert Who Laid the Foundation for Daegu's Future Industries as a First-Generation Local Government Official

"Public Office Is Responsibility, Not Power"... Emphasizing Support for the Vulnerable and Field-Oriented Legislative Activities

Pledges to Attract Major Data Centers and System Semiconductors, and to Introduce Free Housing for Young People Draw Attention

The campaign activities of Sukjun Hong, the preliminary candidate who has declared his bid for Daegu mayor, are gaining momentum.

Since announcing his candidacy, Hong has been actively visiting sites and communicating with citizens daily. He believes the solution for Daegu lies in a "precise understanding of future industries" and a "strong sense of responsibility for the socially vulnerable."

Seokjun Hong, Preliminary Candidate for Mayor of Daegu (Former Member of the National Assembly). Provided by the individual

◆ "Robotics and Medical Industries Once Ridiculed, Now Pillars of Daegu"

Hong, who entered public service in 1995 as a first-generation local government official, has been recognized as a "practical strategist" who changed the industrial landscape of Daegu, serving in roles such as Director of Economic Affairs for the city.

Despite skepticism 20 years ago, he established test tracks and automotive parts research institute infrastructure to prepare for the era of future mobility. He also secured government funding to attract the Robot Industry Promotion Agency and lay the foundation for a robot testing field.

He emphasizes, "Simply working hard at this moment is not enough," adding, "If you cannot foresee the future of science, technology, and social environment, you may end up with unintended outcomes."

In fact, the medical tourism project he championed achieved record results, growing from about 1,800 visitors in 2011 to surpassing 30,000—the first among regional governments—by 2019.

◆ "At the Core Is Always People... Protecting the Vulnerable Is the Essence of Public Service"

At the core of Hong's political philosophy is always "people."

During his term as a member of parliament, he amended the Child Welfare Act to support the social adaptation of young adults preparing for independence and prevented a crisis in the supply of essential medicines for Parkinson's disease patients, exemplifying his philosophy of "protecting the vulnerable."

Notably, even after facing the setback of being excluded from party nominations during the 22nd general election, he dedicated himself quietly in the party's situation room, stating, "Putting the party before oneself is the foundation of a conservative party." Among party members, his actions have been recognized as embodying the "true dignity of conservatism."

◆ Revitalizing Daegu's Economy: Focusing on 'AX (AI Transformation)' and 'Youth Settlement'

As a preliminary candidate, former Assemblyman Hong has proposed concrete and pragmatic plans for revitalizing Daegu's economy.

He highlighted Daegu's abundant power infrastructure and skilled workforce as key strengths to attract large corporations and new industries.

Building on this, he plans to attract leading companies in robotics, system semiconductors, and data centers to the second national industrial complex, making them the driving force for the regional economy.

He also announced an "AX (AI Transformation) Acceleration" policy to support the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises. By establishing an AI Support Center to provide essential resources such as GPU infrastructure, and by fully supporting "AI Design Consulting" to integrate AI into SMEs' production processes, he aims to dramatically enhance manufacturing competitiveness.

The proposed introduction of "free housing for young people" to counter the risk of regional decline stands out as well.

The plan is for the city government and companies to cooperate in securing unsold apartments as residential resources, allowing young people employed by Daegu companies to live there by only paying management fees. This would fundamentally prevent the outflow of young talent from the region.

The plan also includes measures to strengthen conservative identity as a political asset.

By actively developing local national defense resources such as the Independence Hall and systematically organizing patriotic youth, he expressed his ambition to turn Daegu into a true national hub for nurturing right-wing conservative leaders.

◆ "The Candidate Who Knows Daegu Best, With a Vision for the Future"

Hong objectively assessed, "The reason Daegu's GRDP has been at the bottom for 30 years is the absence of large corporations and the declining competitiveness of key industries," expressing confidence that "only an expert with both administrative experience and legislative competence can restore the pride of Daegu's citizens."

Daegu citizens are closely watching the campaign of Sukjun Hong, who combines a commitment to regulatory reform for corporate competitiveness with the fighting spirit to uphold conservative values.

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