[Current Affairs Show] Yang Hyangja: "Choo Mi-ae, Who Pushes Bills Through Hastily, Is Very Dangerous"

"Gyeonggi Province Will See a Contest Between a Fighter and a Worker"

"Choo Mi-ae Will Use the Governorship as a Stepping Stone for a Presidential Run"

"It Is Strange to Refuse Campaign Support From the Party Leader"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily's "Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show" (Mon-Fri, 4-5 PM)

■ Host: Sosongseop, Political Specialist ■ Producer: Lee Miri

■ Guest: Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party (April 23)

※ When quoting content from this article, please be sure to cite "Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show."

Sosongseop: Hello, everyone. This is Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show. The People Power Party's primary for Gyeonggi Province Governor has confirmed three candidates: Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party; Lee Seongbae, former announcer; and Ham Jingyu, former assemblyman. It's a three-way race. Supreme Council Member Yang Hyangja is on the phone with us. Ms. Yang, hello?

Yang Hyangja: Yes, hello.

Sosongseop: It's a three-way primary. Are you confident in your victory?

Yang Hyangja: Yes, I am confident.

Sosongseop: What is the basis for your confidence?

A Contest Between a Fighter and a Worker in the Matchup with Candidate Chu Mi-ae

Yang Hyangja: In a head-to-head race against Candidate Chu Mi-ae, I believe I am the most suitable as a "worker" compared to a "fighter." The structure is clear and the justification is strong, so I believe I will win.

Sosongseop: Why do you say you are the most qualified person for Governor of Gyeonggi Province?

Yang Hyangja, a Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, had a phone interview on the 23rd with The Asia Business Daily's "Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show." Photo by Huh Younghan

Yang Hyangja: 84.6% of South Korea's added value in advanced industries comes from semiconductors in Gyeonggi Province. With 76% of total sales generated from semiconductors in Gyeonggi, it will be difficult to manage the province without semiconductor expertise. That is why I believe the gubernatorial election requires someone who can perfectly establish Gyeonggi as the heart of advanced industry. Moreover, I believe that residents are becoming aware that the next four years of provincial administration should not be turned into a political battleground. In this situation, I see a clear structure: fighter versus worker, legal technician versus industry expert, past versus future. If this distinction is made clear, I am confident of victory.

Without Semiconductor Knowledge, Governing Gyeonggi Is Difficult—Yang Hyangja Has the Answer

Furthermore, as the entire provincial administration shifts toward advanced industries like AI semiconductors, I am confident that I can lead efficiently and effectively. This Gyeonggi gubernatorial election is especially noteworthy because for the first time in 32 years, a woman could become the head of a metropolitan government in Gyeonggi Province. The contest between Chu Mi-ae and Yang Hyangja is a historic one. In this context, voters must consider who can truly focus on provincial administration, who can elevate Gyeonggi to a global city, who can create jobs, and who can solve the province's severe traffic problems. Given Chu Mi-ae's record on these issues, I believe the answer will clearly be Yang Hyangja.

Sosongseop: There are some varied reactions from candidates to Leader Jang Donghyuk's campaign support, and in Gyeonggi, some lawmakers are even organizing separate local election committees. What are your thoughts on Leader Jang's campaign support?

It Is Strange to Reject Campaign Support from the Party Leader Elected by the Members

Yang Hyangja: Isn't the party leader chosen by the party members, who are the true owners of the party? Refusing support from the party leader is rather odd. As for some incumbent Gyeonggi lawmakers holding press conferences to launch their own election committees, I also made many such suggestions. If things are delayed, the election itself becomes difficult, so I have been saying for three months that we need to start early. Once a candidate is decided, schedules and policy announcements should proceed smoothly and quickly, so it is right to get started immediately. I want to correct any perception that this is about distancing themselves from party leadership. I have strongly requested that we move forward.

After completing his visit to the United States, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party (second from the right), is entering to attend the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the early morning of the 20th. From the right are Kim Minsu, Supreme Council member; Leader Jang; Woo Jaejun, Youth Supreme Council member; and Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council member. Photo by Yonhap News

Sosongseop: Gyeonggi Province is sometimes described as a "tilted playing field" for the People Power Party, and in today's poll, the party's support rate was 15%. Do you have a strategy to overcome this situation?

Yang Hyangja: I am the only one who can defeat Chu Mi-ae. Would a fighter or a worker be better for a high-performing local government? The residents of Gyeonggi are no longer looking for political fights—they want real results. The core of Gyeonggi is clear: semiconductor, AI, and advanced industries. Issues like transportation, electricity, water infrastructure, and future industries require someone with hands-on experience, not just talk. I have been advocating for advanced industries in both the field and in politics for over 30 years. I have consistently presented a blueprint to make Gyeonggi the heart of the global high-tech industry and have a clear execution path. If I become the candidate, I am confident I can quickly close the gap and completely change the race.

Sosongseop: Why have you characterized Candidate Chu Mi-ae as a "fighter"?

Gyeonggi Residents Do Not Want to See Political Fights

Yang Hyangja: After being elected as a lawmaker in Hanam, she did not focus on developing Hanam but, as Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, pushed through all bills at breakneck speed and then claimed to have completed prosecutorial reform. I find that very dangerous. Regarding the "complete deprivation of prosecution's investigative authority" bill, I argued for a proper bill through a 90-day agenda adjustment. Seeing these bills pushed through with little understanding of provincial administration, I worry that if she were in charge, she might make decisions hastily without proper knowledge. Gyeonggi residents do not want to see more political fighting. Having worked, grown, and succeeded in Gyeonggi for 40 years, I want to share my experience with the next generation and help secure their future. I am determined to make Gyeonggi a world-class city.

Sosongseop: There are rumors that former lawmaker Cho Eungcheon's Reform Party may field a candidate for Gyeonggi Governor. What are your thoughts on potential alliances?

Yang Hyangja: At this stage, talk of alliances is premature. Once the general election begins in earnest, there will be strong demands and hopes among conservative voters for a winning strategy. At that time, I will take the public's sentiment very seriously. Whether it's unification or alliance, it should not be decided at the desk by a few politicians, but rather based on the will of the voters and the chances of victory. I will discuss this thoroughly with our election committee to make the most responsible decision.

Sosongseop: So, while it's not the time to discuss such things now, you are saying you may remain open to it in the future?

Yang Hyangja: Yes, that's correct.

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae is seen putting an election jumper on candidate Chu Mi-ae at a welcoming ceremony for Chu Mi-ae, the gubernatorial candidate of Gyeonggi Province, held before the Executive Committee meeting on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

Sosongseop: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Democratic Party candidate Chu Mi-ae?

Chu Mi-ae's Strength Is Mobilizing Her Strong Support Base, but She Lacks Industry Expertise to Lead the Province

Yang Hyangja: Candidate Chu Mi-ae's strength is also her limitation. She has the ability to rally a strong support base and is a textbook fighter-politician. Being a fighter is not necessarily a bad thing, but the Governor of Gyeonggi cannot be just about political battles. Especially in Gyeonggi, where advanced industry is crucial, someone with zero industry knowledge cannot be expected to lead. She spent two years in Hanam as a stepping stone for the governorship and is widely perceived as using a four-year term as a springboard to the presidency.

Yet Gyeonggi is South Korea's largest metropolitan economic zone, at the center of semiconductors and advanced industries, and requires an understanding of power, water, transportation, regulatory permissions, and talent development—one must grasp the entire industrial ecosystem. In the Democratic Party's primary, she demonstrated a lack of preparation, and I believe her lack of understanding of advanced industries is not just a weakness but her defining characteristic. The province needs an expert in advanced industry, not just a legal technician. In this contest—legal technician versus industry expert—the residents will make a clear judgment.

I will ensure that our young people are never unable to pursue something simply due to lack of money. I have studied AI and big data for 10 years and have received a doctorate. I can build a comprehensive platform for the entire province to address issues like traffic congestion, job matching, and childcare across the life cycle. Although I wanted to do this at the national level, I am truly excited to implement these initiatives in Gyeonggi. Gyeonggi will be the beating heart of South Korea, pumping lifeblood to every region.

※ Click the video to watch the full interview.

The Era of KRW 100 Million Per Capita GRDP, 100,000 High-Paying Jobs to Be Created

Sosongseop: Can you introduce some of your core pledges?

Yang Hyangja: In over 40 years of watching Gyeonggi, I have seen some cities decline and others grow. The key has always been advanced and future industries. Through the revival of advanced industries, I aim to open the era of KRW 100 million per capita GRDP (Gross Regional Domestic Product) for Gyeonggi residents—the current figure is around KRW 44 million—and I want all 31 cities and counties to have nearly the same GRDP, narrowing the North-South gap within the province.

I am also setting a goal to create more than 100,000 high-quality jobs with annual salaries of KRW 100 million or more. I want to transform Gyeonggi from a mere administrative district into the engine of South Korea's economic growth. We must focus on nurturing strategic industries such as semiconductors, AI, future vehicles, and advanced materials. This will elevate Gyeonggi's standing by 10 levels or more.

Another point I want to stress is that, if elected, I will immediately get to work on the ground. I will meet with Samsung Electronics CEO Jeon Yonghyun and SK hynix CEO Kwak Nojeong right away. With Samsung, I will discuss early securing of foundry 2-nanometer demand and strategies to attract client companies. With SK hynix, I will address HBM 4 mass production and the power infrastructure issues of the Yongin cluster. I will not be a governor who pressures companies, but one who enables them to invest more and play a greater role in South Korea. If President Lee Jaemyung had to choose between Chu Mi-ae and Yang Hyangja as governor, I believe he would choose Yang Hyangja.

Sosongseop: We've been talking with Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, who has pledged to become the "semiconductor governor," the "AI governor," and to create 100,000 jobs. Thank you, Ms. Yang.

Yang Hyangja: Thank you.

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