Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam, Announces Re-Election Bid ... "A Great Leap Forward for Gyeongnam with the Spirit of March 15th Against Injustice"

On April 27, Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu officially announced his candidacy for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections at the National 3.15 Democratic Cemetery, formalizing his bid for re-election.

Governor Park stated, "Here at the National 3.15 Democratic Cemetery, a sacred ground for democracy, I am announcing my intention to run for a second term as governor."

He continued, "Sixty-six years ago, Gyeongnam was the first in Korea to rise up unarmed against a fraudulent election that distorted the will of the people, and resolutely opposed attempts to manipulate the public sentiment that is the foundation of democracy. Through their bloodshed, they proclaimed that democracy cannot be monopolized through manipulation."

He further pointed out, "However, the spirit of March 15th that Gyeongnam has defended is now under threat. We are living in a world where the strong can change anything to their advantage, where the rule of law, principles, and common sense are collapsing, and the shadow of one-party dictatorship is looming large."

He also warned, "If the era of one-party dictatorship, where checks and balances have disappeared, is combined with digital manipulation of public opinion, the consequences would be unimaginable and terrifying. Gyeongnam has already suffered from such a world before it fully arrived."

Gyeongnam Province Governor Park Wansu is officially declaring his re-election as governor in the 9th nationwide local elections after paying respects at the National 3.15 Democratic Cemetery.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

Governor Park explained, "When I took office four years ago, the previous governor was unable to complete the term due to a criminal conviction, and as a result, Gyeongnam's economic growth rate was at the very bottom among all provinces and cities nationwide. Most indicators—including jobs, welfare, and living conditions—were stagnating at the lowest levels in the country. A previously nonexistent debt of 1.2 trillion won accumulated, and young people left their hometowns because they could not find jobs."

He added, "Inheriting an administration like this kept me up at night, and I felt a sense of urgency to restore the livelihoods of the residents and set Gyeongnam on the right track. That is why I devoted everything over the past four years to reviving Gyeongnam's economy."

As a result, he noted, the province achieved the following: 4th highest economic growth rate nationwide, 1st in gross regional product among non-capital regions, 42 consecutive months of trade surplus, 2nd highest farm household income in Korea, a shift to net population inflow after eight years, and reclaiming the top non-capital region for population in 27 years.

He self-assessed, "The outflow of young people has been reduced to less than half compared to the previous administration, and over 370 billion won of the debt left by the previous administration has been repaid. Gyeongnam has undoubtedly changed, as all indicators—economy, population, and residents' quality of life—are now among the best nationwide."

Park Wansu, governor of Gyeongnam Province, is burning incense for the patriots and martyrs at the National March 15 Democratic Cemetery.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

Governor Park remarked, "Up to this point, it was merely a process of normalization to revive a struggling Gyeongnam. Now, based on the solid foundation established over the past four years, we must aim for sustained and significant progress."

He assessed, "Although the world is currently staggering from the aftermath of the Middle East war, we are in the midst of a major transformation where future technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and aerospace are changing the world. If Gyeongnam falls behind this trend, it will inevitably be left behind."

He emphasized, "That is why the administration must not falter again. We must not allow incompetent or failed governance to be repeated and ruin Gyeongnam."

Governor Park warned, "The administration must never again be halted due to the governor's personal political ambitions or mistakes. If Gyeongnam, in the current tilted political landscape of Korea, also succumbs to this trend, it will become a platform for unchecked power rather than a bastion of checks and balances."

He also declared, "Leaders of Gyeongnam, standing on the spirit of March 15th, must be free of moral flaws. This is not a matter of political attack, but a conviction held by the 3.3 million residents who have a history of fighting against injustice."

He continued, "Throughout my service in administration and politics, I have held fast to the basics and principles, working selflessly only for the residents and for Gyeongnam, living with integrity and uprightness, and I will continue to do so. I ask you to join me once again with the trust you have shown over the past four years."

"Standing here, where the martyrs shed their blood 66 years ago, I, Park Wansu, will carry on their spirit in my administration. I will dedicate all my experience and passion to Gyeongnam so that the lives of its people can improve," he pledged, adding, "In my own way, consistently and decisively, I will be the governor who achieves a great leap forward for Gyeongnam together with our residents."

Text left by Park Wan-soo, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, in the National 3.15 Democracy Cemetery tribute book.
Photo by Lee Seryung

Before the press conference announcing his candidacy, Governor Park visited the Gyeongnam Election Commission to complete his registration as a preliminary candidate for the Gyeongnam governorship with the People Power Party and then paid his respects at the 3.15 Democratic Cemetery.

In the visitor's book, he wrote, "I will strive for a Korea governed by the rule of law and common sense, and for a significant leap forward for Gyeongnam."

As his first official activity after the announcement, he visited Bongha Village in Gimhae to pay respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.

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