[6.3 Election] Woo Hongseop: "I Will Open the Era of a 1 Trillion Won Budget"... Stakes High at Campaign Launch

Park Jiwon, Provincial and County Council Candidates Rally Together... Demonstrating Democratic Party's 'One Team' Unity

Directly Confronting the Abalone Industry Crisis... Promising Three Pillar Pensions: Sea, Landscape, and Loyalty

"Reviving the Abalone Industry and Introducing Wando-Style Basic Income"

Woo Hongseop, who has been confirmed as the final Democratic Party candidate for Wando County Governor in the upcoming June 3 local elections, held the opening ceremony for his campaign office on May 6, officially launching his full-scale general election campaign. Alongside a ‘one team’ approach that mended the rifts of the fierce party primary, he emphasized his capabilities as an administrative expert with 30 years of experience, aiming to seize the initiative.

The opening ceremony, held that morning at the campaign office in Wando-eup, Jeollanam-do, saw a large turnout of local dignitaries and guests, including Woo's mentor Yang Hyungil, former president of Chosun University, and Jeong Namsun, president of the Wando County Senior Citizens' Association.

Particularly notable was the presence of Shin Uijun, Jeonnam Provincial Council member, Lee Cheol, Vice Chairperson of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, and Heo Gunghee, Wando County Council member, all of whom had competed against Woo in the party primary. Having officially declared their support for Woo immediately after the primary, their collective appearance at the opening ceremony demonstrated the Democratic Party's strong unity.

Candidate Woo Hongseop is raising hands together with former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member Shin Euijun, Deputy Speaker of Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Lee Cheol, and Wando County Council member Heo Gunghee, who competed with him in the party primary, pledging victory in the final election. Photo provided by the reader

In addition, Democratic Party nominees such as Hwang Incheol, special advisor to Assemblyman Park Jiwon, Park Jaeseon (Constituency 1) and Jo Inho (Constituency 2), candidates for the provincial council, and Choi Junguk, candidate for the county council, were also present, marking the start of the so-called “Four-Beat One Team.”

At the event, Woo stated, "Today is not just a campaign launch but a turning point to usher in a new future for Wando and reshape its destiny," adding, "In step with the transformation of the national system initiated by the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration, I will lead Wando’s leap toward becoming a southern mega-city."

"From Grade 7 Civil Service to Deputy County Governor"... A Proven Administrative Expert

Woo highlighted his extensive administrative experience built over more than 30 years as his greatest asset. “After finishing high school in my hometown, I joined the Wando County Office through the Grade 7 civil service exam and went on to serve as Deputy County Governor of Jindo, having worked through every stage of administration. I am truly a prepared administrative expert,” he emphasized, adding, “No matter where or what work I’ve done, I have always delivered tangible results by leveraging local resources.”

On this day, Woo addressed Wando’s complex crises, such as population decline, super-aging, climate change, and the downturn of the traditional fisheries industry, stressing that he is the right person to secure budgets by mobilizing the National Assembly, the central government, and the Jeonnam Provincial Office, and to deliver real results that improve residents’ lives.

He particularly pointed out Wando’s multi-faceted crisis, saying, “We are facing structural challenges such as population decline, super-aging, climate change, and the slump in the traditional fisheries industry. In the end, there is only one answer: the key is who can move the National Assembly, the central government, and the Jeonnam Provincial Office to secure more budget and actually transform the lives of residents, not just in words but in outcomes.”

He went on to say, “What keeps a ship safe in rough seas is not theory but experience, and the strength to bring it home through a storm also comes from experience,” once again highlighting his administrative track record.

At the opening ceremony, a large number of key local figures and supporters attended to demonstrate their strength, including Hwang Incheol, special aide to Representative Park Jiwon. Photo provided by the source

Directly Confronting the Abalone Industry Crisis and a Vision for 'Wando-Style Basic Income'

Woo identified overcoming the crisis in the abalone industry, Wando's top issue, as his highest priority.

He pledged, “I will inject emergency management stabilization funds and create a system where fishermen can focus on production by stabilizing prices and expanding market channels. I will also advance the core industry to foster it as a sustainable growth engine for the future.”

As measures for improving daily infrastructure, he proposed: ▲ Early completion of bridge and road connections to nearby islands ▲ Expansion of the public transportation system ▲ Increased night-time passenger ferry operations ▲ Permanent solutions to drinking water issues. In the medical sector, he stated, “We will create a healthcare environment where essential medical services, which are directly linked to life, can be provided locally without having to travel to other areas.”

Particularly noteworthy is his pledge to establish a 'Wando-Style Basic Income' system. Woo plans to introduce a basic income system utilizing Wando’s resources—such as the Sea Pension, Landscape Pension, and Loyalty Pension—to stabilize the lives of residents. He also presented a blueprint to nurture Wando as a global marine bio hub to lay the foundation for future industries.

All-Out Democratic Party Effort... "Opening the Era of 1 Trillion Won in Budget"

Woo also made clear his commitment to cooperate with Assemblyman Park Jiwon and other Democratic Party candidates. He vowed, “Together with Park Jiwon and the Democratic Party candidates, we will form a four-beat one team to usher in a new future for Wando. We will create a county administration where the people and the government are united, listen to voices on the ground, and take immediate action.”

He also laid out specific goals: “We will open the era of a 1 trillion won budget, welcome 10 million tourists, and build a Wando where all residents prosper. Together with President Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party, and the people of Wando, we will create a bigger, stronger, and more prosperous Wando.”

Meanwhile, with the three-term limit making this year's June 3 Wando County Governor election an open contest, a two-way race is expected to unfold between Democratic Party candidate Woo Hongseop and independent candidate Kim Shin.

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