Lee Donghwan: "Choosing Loud Innovation Over Quiet Stagnation... See Who the True Worker Is"

Donghwan Lee, Preliminary Candidate for Goyang Mayor, Announces Bid for Re-election
Declares Vision for "Global Goyang" Including Completion of Free Economic Zone and Construction of a 50,000-Seat Domed Stadium
"Confident Against Vested Interests—No Expedient Measures or Personal Gain... I Will Prove It with Results"
"Securing Budget for Livelihood and Welfare Takes Priority over Building a New City Hall Costing Billions"
"The Final Piece to Achieve a Self-Sufficient City... I Will Prove It with Results"

"Who is truly capable of getting things done? This should be the standard by which we select those who work for us. I, Donghwan Lee, have chosen loud innovation over quiet stagnation."

Lee Donghwan, pre-candidate for Mayor of Goyang from the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the 8th to officially announce his candidacy for the 9th Goyang mayoral election. Photo by Lee Jonggu

Donghwan Lee, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Goyang City from the People Power Party, held a press conference on May 8, 2026, to officially declare his candidacy for the 9th Goyang mayoral election and made the above remarks. During the conference, Lee pledged to expand Goyang's economic territory and realize a self-sufficient city, drawing on the achievements of the past four years in city administration.

Lee cited "innovation" and "confidence" as the key words of his candidacy declaration. He stated, "I am confident because I have never used expedient measures, and I have been firm against any vested interests because I have never pursued personal gain." He addressed the resistance and misunderstandings he faced during his previous term head-on.

In particular, Lee stressed, "If the mayor only sits at a desk, global companies will never come," labeling the controversy over his overseas business trips as "intense sales activities." He reaffirmed his commitment to reinvest the 400 billion won saved from the new city hall construction budget back into improving citizens' livelihoods, expressing a strong will to pursue efficient administration and protect taxpayer money.

In his declaration, Lee said, "The very first approval I signed after you handed me the baton four years ago was the promotion of the Free Economic Zone," adding, "My previous term was a battleground for reclaiming the ten-plus lost years by fighting outdated practices."

Donghwan Lee, the preliminary candidate for mayor of Goyang from the People Power Party, held a press conference on the 8th to officially announce his candidacy for the 9th Goyang mayoral election. Photo by Jonggu Lee

Lee highlighted several major accomplishments: selection of a 9.67 million square meter (2.93 million pyeong) site as the first Free Economic Zone candidate in northern Gyeonggi Province; attracting investments totaling 6.5 trillion won; inviting major companies such as LG HelloVision; ranking first in the Government Joint Evaluation for two consecutive years; and being selected by the BBC as one of the world's top five cities, all contributing to Goyang's rising status. He especially emphasized, "The mayor's positive approval rating soared from 61% in 2023 to 77% in 2025, which proves that citizens are experiencing real change."

Lee also presented five specific visions to elevate Goyang to a world-class city: immediately launching a fast-track land development process upon Free Economic Zone designation and creating a Korean-style AI Lab Valley in the Daegok Station area; reflecting the 9th subway line, Shinbundang Line, and Goyang-Eunpyeong Line in the Phase 5 National Rail Network Plan and constructing an underground expressway along Jayuro to achieve a 30-minute commute to Gangnam; building a 50,000-seat domed stadium in the Deogyang-gu area and completing the third KINTEX exhibition hall to establish Goyang as a business hub; accelerating customized urban redevelopment, undergrounding railways, and creating urban forests above them; and attracting six science high schools, autonomous private high schools, gifted high schools, and overseas university campuses to create a city free from concerns over educational expenses.

Lee also showed resolve in facing recent criticism. Regarding the controversy over overseas business trips, he reiterated, "Global companies will not come if the mayor only sits at a desk. The sweat I shed will soon be proven by the company signs erected in Goyang," expressing pride in his role as a 'salesman mayor.'

Lee Donghwan, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Goyang from the People Power Party, held a press conference on the 8th to officially announce his candidacy for the 9th mayoral election of Goyang. Photo by Lee Jonggu

Regarding the new city hall issue, Lee stressed, "By utilizing the office building in Baekseok-dong, which was obtained free of charge, we can save over 400 billion won in taxpayer money. Using that budget to revitalize livelihoods, welfare, and the economy is the true essence of local autonomy."

Lee reiterated, "I have chosen loud innovation over quiet stagnation. Because I have never pursued personal gain, I can be firm against any vested interests. The true worker, Donghwan Lee, will prove it through results."

Lastly, Lee appealed, "The true worker, Donghwan Lee, will run again and prove himself through results. I ask all citizens to join me on the path to building a great economic territory and a self-sufficient city."

Lee Donghwan, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Goyang from the People Power Party, held a press conference on the 8th to officially announce his candidacy for the 9th mayoral election of Goyang. Photo by Lee Jonggu

Meanwhile, Lee immediately moved to the field to engage with citizens, officially kicking off his election campaign.

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