Jo Joohong Advances to Yeongdeok General Election... Shakes Up People Power Party Primary

“Income-Generating Administration” at the Forefront

Unifying as One Team for the June 3 Election Push

Jo Joohong, the People Power Party’s preliminary candidate for Yeongdeok County Governor, has been officially confirmed as the party’s nominee for the 9th Nationwide Local Elections on June 3. By winning the nomination after campaigning on “change” and the need for “new leadership,” Jo has set in motion a realignment of Yeongdeok’s political landscape ahead of the general election.

Jo Joohong emphasizes one team after passing the primary election, saying, "I will rebuild Yeongdeok's economy with changes that sustain livelihoods."
[Photo by Jo Joohong's campaign office]

The People Power Party’s North Gyeongsang Province Nomination Committee finalized Jo as its candidate based on the results of a two-day public opinion poll conducted from April 20 to 21. The primary was not merely a matter of name recognition, but a choice regarding the region’s future growth engines and the direction of county administration, giving the result added significance.

Throughout the nomination process, Jo repeatedly described Yeongdeok’s situation as “a point where it is no longer possible to survive with the old ways.” He raised concerns about overlapping crises: population decline, youth outflow, economic stagnation, and increased fiscal burdens since the wildfires. He argued that mere administrative management could not provide a breakthrough, and instead advocated for a proactive “income-generating administration” rather than one focused solely on resource distribution.

The “income-generating administration” Jo has championed refers to an active approach that draws in budgets, investments, and jobs from the central government, the National Assembly, and the private sector. Rather than simply allocating limited local resources, the plan seeks to bring in external assets to fundamentally transform Yeongdeok’s economy. Jo has repeatedly emphasized, “The county governor’s job should go beyond passively managing current issues,” and called for “sales-oriented administration that secures budgets, investments, and jobs.”

His main campaign pledges are encapsulated in the practical themes of “jobs, food, and housing.”

Specifically, these include: ▲ attracting a nuclear power plant and establishing an energy mix committee ▲ creating industrial complexes and attracting businesses ▲ strengthening processing, distribution, and branding based on smart fisheries ▲ a county pension plan utilizing solar and wind power ▲ establishing senior-friendly housing and welfare ▲ a rural youth settlement package ▲ dental and ophthalmology support for seniors ▲ connecting the new airport via rail ▲ promoting the Yeongdeok–Samcheok north-south axis expressway ▲ relaxing urban planning regulations ▲ and preparing a loan repayment roadmap.

These policy pledges reflect an intention to shift local administration from a focus on consumption and distribution to one centered on production and growth. In particular, Jo’s campaign frames Yeongdeok’s future structure as a “clear change in livelihoods,” uniting energy, industry, transport, welfare, and fiscal soundness into a single axis for redesigning the county.

Jo’s efforts toward party unity also drew attention during the nomination process. He achieved a unified candidacy with fellow preliminary candidate Lee Heejin, minimizing internal divisions and rallying support. The two agreed that “Yeongdeok cannot afford wasteful competition right now.” Jo stressed that “unification is not a personal victory, but the beginning of a one-team effort to save Yeongdeok,” highlighting his message of integration.

Political observers note that this unification played a significant role in positioning Jo as a viable alternative to the incumbent. They analyze that Jo’s ability to combine policy clarity with organizational unity in the primary was key to his final victory.

Upon confirmation as the official candidate, Jo stated, “I deeply thank the citizens and party members for their choice. I accept this result with a heavy sense of responsibility and also express my consolation and gratitude to the other preliminary candidates who competed with me.” He added, “From now on, we will unite as one team to bring real change to Yeongdeok. I will humbly heed the public sentiment revealed in the primary and approach the people with an even more down-to-earth attitude.”

He also stressed, “I will not become complacent after this victory. I will show the results of an administration that protects people’s lives and strengthens Yeongdeok’s finances. I aim to be a candidate judged not by words, but by achievements.”

With the People Power Party’s nomination finalized, the Yeongdeok County Governor race has now fully transitioned to the general election phase. Local political circles expect that the core issues will go beyond a simple contest between candidates to focus on how to revive the stagnant local economy and who can design a sustainable growth path for Yeongdeok amid the crisis of regional decline.

Attention is now focused on whether Jo’s proposed “clear change in livelihoods” and “income-generating administration” will prove persuasive on the general election stage.

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