Gyeongnam Council of City and County Chairmen Declares Support for Park Wansoo for Governor ... "We Need a Governor Who Gets the Job Done"

The Gyeongnam Council of City and County Chairmen has voiced its support for Park Wansoo, the People Power Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, who is seeking re-election.

On May 14, the council held a press conference at the provincial government press center, stating, "With heartfelt conviction that Park Wansoo's re-election as governor is essential in the upcoming June 3 local elections, we hereby declare our support," and released an "Appeal to the People of Gyeongnam."

Son Taehwa, chairman of Changwon City Council and chairman of the Gyeongnam Association of City and County Council Chairmen (from the far left), Kwak Jongpo, chairman of Yangsan City Council, Heo Hong, chairman of Miryang City Council and chairman of the association, and Baek Seunghung, chairman of Jinju City Council, are declaring their support for Park Wansu, the People Power Party candidate for Gyeongnam governor, and appealing for support.

Photo by Lee Seryeong

They evaluated Park's tenure, saying, "During the four years of the 8th popularly elected term, Candidate Park effectively restored the provincial administration, which had been destabilized and weakened due to the prolonged vacuum caused by the political activities and detention of previous governors, and has established a solid foundation for a new leap forward."

They also said, "By making the improvement of residents' lives the top priority of provincial governance, he has implemented a range of policies that have truly elevated the quality of life for Gyeongnam residents, leading to tangible development in the province."

They further added, "In all key economic sectors such as Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), farm income, employment rate, and unemployment rate, Gyeongnam has advanced to a leading position nationwide, achieving positive outcomes such as a net influx of young people, an increase in births, and more marriages. Social security systems have also reached the top in the country, with the province introducing the Gyeongnam Residents' Pension and the safety assurance network for the first time in Korea."

They pointed out, "By contrast, former governor Kim Kyungsoo was unable to properly manage the provincial government due to repeated court appearances related to a public opinion manipulation case, and eventually left office after being convicted and sentenced to prison."

The council emphasized, "Oil prices are soaring and inflation is unstable due to the crisis in the Middle East. The construction sector is facing its worst period, and exports, including semiconductors, are also unstable. For the sake of Gyeongnam, we need someone who has real experience and can truly get the job done as governor."

They further appealed, "At this critical juncture, we ask that Park be given another chance, as he has led the province stably and dynamically. Let us unite our efforts to realize the great leap of Gyeongnam and make it a province that the whole nation envies."

Previously, at a regular council meeting held in Geoje on April 14, the Gyeongnam Council of City and County Chairmen resolved to declare their support for Park Wansoo as a miscellaneous agenda item.

In the appeal announced by the council that day, 17 out of the 18 city and county council chairmen in the province signed their names, with only Kim Gyu-chan, chairman of Uiryeong County Council, an independent, not participating.

Four chairmen attended the press conference: Heo Hong, chairman of Miryang City Council and president of the council; Son Taehwa, chairman of Changwon City Council; Paek Seunghung, chairman of Jinju City Council; and Kwak Jongpo, chairman of Yangsan City Council. The other chairmen could not attend due to either their own election campaigns or personal schedules.

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