Jeonghun Shin: "Proven by Achievements, Not Words... Will Take Responsibility for Designing and Implementing the Integrated Special City"

Joint Debate Hosted by Asia Business Daily, Dilsight Economy TV, Wikitree, and Herald Economy

"Proven Track Record from Democratization and Farmers' Movements to the Blue House and National Assembly"

Emphasizes Momentum Following Unification with Kang Kijung... "The On-the-Ground Atmosphere Has Changed"

20 Trillion Won Integrated Budget to Be Prioritized for Public Welfare... Support for Farmers, Care Workers, and Non-Regular Employees

First Pledge: "Half-Price Electricity in the 90-Won Range"... Plans to Establish an Energy Corporation

On April 3, Jeonghun Shin, a candidate in the Democratic Party of Korea's Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor primary, stated, "Entrust the integrated special city not to words, but to someone who has already proven themselves through their background and achievements." He highlighted his strengths by pointing to his record in the democratization and farmers' movements, local government administration, and his experience at both the Blue House and the National Assembly, where he contributed to significant accomplishments such as the joint innovation city, Korea Electric Power Corporation University (KEPCO University), and the artificial sun project.

During the candidate debate for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor held that morning at the CGI Center studio in Nam-gu, Gwangju, Shin commented on his unification with Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung, saying, "The most formidable force in an election is momentum. On the ground, we can feel that the atmosphere has changed since the integration, and there is a tangible shift in the mood since the unification was announced."

On the 31st of last month, Shin Junghun, a candidate in the Democratic Party's Jeonnam Gwangju Special Mayor primary election, is speaking at the broadcast debate held at the KBS Gwangju Headquarters' public hall in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding responses to the economic crisis, Shin declared that the 20 trillion won budget of the integrated special city would be prioritized for public welfare. He said, "With the impact of the Middle East war, prices, energy, and exports are all being shaken. We will prioritize this budget to rectify the lives of those who sustain our community, including farmers and fishermen, social welfare workers, care workers, non-regular and platform workers."

"Developing a Downtown Cluster for Youth Centered on Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro"

On the issue of youth outflow, Shin expressed that establishing an industrial and job foundation should take precedence over simply attracting entertainment facilities. He stated, "Building amusement facilities alone will not bring young people back. Instead, we will turn the Chungjang-ro and Geumnam-ro areas into luxury tourist streets and develop them into global e-sports and digital literature industry districts."

He added, "By combining creative spaces for artists, archives, and basic income, we will first establish a downtown cluster where young people can work, play, and stay. After successfully implementing this, we will address the need for entertainment facilities in stages based on sufficient demand."

On the issue of the integrated special city government office, Shin emphasized the direction of functional decentralization. He said, "It has already been decided that the three city offices will be allocated by function in a balanced way. We should not leave the main office issue solely to the integrated mayor but instead reach a social consensus before the city is launched."

"Breathing New Life into Small Business with a 20 Trillion Won Budget"

Regarding the issue of vacant stores in Naju Innovation City and countermeasures for struggling neighborhood businesses, Shin stated that he would prioritize using the integrated special city's budget for support. "We will pursue practical support such as remodeling vacant stores, attracting youth and startups, and expanding local currency. We will connect the energy, robotics, and digital industries, public institutions, youth entrepreneurship trends, and commercial districts to drive local revitalization," he said.

For regional balanced development, Shin proposed a vision of functional decentralization across the Gwangju, eastern, and western regions. "Gwangju will be centered on AI, robotics, culture, and youth; the eastern region will serve as a hub for advanced industries and logistics; and the western region will focus on administration, energy, agri-food, and semiconductors, distributing roles to achieve balanced development," he explained.

Jeonghoon Shin, the unified special mayoral candidate for Jeonnam and Gwangju from the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference on the morning of the 30th of last month at the Gwangju City Council press room to announce his confirmation as the unified candidate. In the photo, he is seen clasping hands and raising them together with Gwangju Mayor Kijung Kang, emphasizing unity and victory. Photo by Boyun Song

Regarding his pledge for basic income in rural areas, he stated, "Rather than applying it uniformly across all regions, we will apply it differentially, starting with areas at high risk of depopulation. It will be provided in the form of local currency to establish a virtuous cycle for the regional economy."

On the issue of delays in the reopening of Muan Airport, Shin said, "Until Muan Airport is normalized, we need a temporary route directly from Gwangju Airport to Incheon Airport. This is a realistic alternative to ensure mobility rights for local residents and to support tourism and the travel industry."

For his first pledge as integrated special mayor, Shin presented "half-price electricity." He said, "We will establish the Jeonnam-Gwangju Energy Corporation to set up a direct trading system for renewable energy and provide companies with electricity at half price in the 90-won range."

He further remarked, "The current situation is the result of 30 years of Honam politics. I am running with the determination to overhaul the political landscape, using the integrated special city as an opportunity to do so."

On the morning of the 3rd, at the studio inside the CGI Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju, during the debate for the candidate for the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special Mayor, Kim Ugwan, Head of Honam Coverage at The Asia Business Daily, Roh Haeseop, Head of Honam at Wikitree, candidate Shin Junghoon, Choi Donghwan, Head of Dielsite Economy TV, and Seo Inju, Director of Herald Economy, (from left) are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Song Bohyun

This debate was jointly organized by four economic media outlets—The Asia Business Daily Honam Bureau, Dilsight Economy TV, Wikitree, and Herald Economy. Reporters from each outlet participated as panelists, questioning candidates with a focus on their policy visions and integration plans.

The debate was broadcast live through the YouTube channels of the four economic media outlets and will also be released as short-form videos featuring key moments.

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