[Local Election Interview] Park Suhyun: "I Will Be a 'Good Governor' Who Never Loses Sincerity"

Immediate Promotion of Chungnam–Daejeon Integration

"Toward a Second Capital Region"

"Building a Human-Centered AI Basic Society... Achieving a Grand Transformation"

"I will do my best to become a good governor."

This is what Suhyun Park, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Governor of Chungnam Province, says whenever he meets local residents during his campaign. He explained that after a resident told him, "Life is so hard I can't bear it," and pleaded, "Please become a good governor," those words left a deep impression on him, and he has since made it his regular greeting.

On May 16, at his campaign office in Cheonan, Chungnam Province, Park told The Asia Business Daily, "The words 'good governor' feel especially weighty these days."

Suhyun Park, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at his campaign office in Cheonan, Chungnam, on the 16th. Photo by Suhyun Park's campaign team

Park, whose constituency once included Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, is well known for his approachability. During the 2024 general election, he would shake hands with every local resident gathered at his campaign events before getting on his campaign vehicle. According to a campaign staff member, "Even if only three residents gather in Cheongyang, Park will run over to greet them."

The same is true for the broader local elections. Although he cannot visit every corner of Chungnam, he makes an effort to attend even the smallest gatherings. He typically attends about ten meetings a day. He has even boarded buses departing for early morning outings to bow deeply to the passengers. Park stated, "I want to show that I am sincere," adding, "I make a daily pledge never to lose my original intention and sincerity, even after becoming governor."

If elected, Park said he would immediately launch a roadmap for integrating Chungnam and Daejeon, in line with the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s national agenda of "Five Core and Three Special Zones." Park pointed out that "Chungcheong holds the most promising geographical conditions for becoming Korea’s second capital region. To compete with the capital area, integration must come first." He continued, "In this era of major transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), if the government provides fiscal support of 5 trillion won per year for four years, for a total of 20 trillion won, we will be able to accomplish this great shift in a timely manner." In response to concerns that the term for governors and mayors elected during regional integration might be shortened, Park emphasized, "That is a personal matter; integration is for the greater good."

As his first campaign pledge, Park has put forward the "Chungnam AI Grand Transformation," emphasizing the importance of "human-centered AI." He stated, "AI technology is a civilization for people, and if humans are alienated, it cannot be a good civilization." He added, "Alongside industrial innovation, I am also proposing an AI Basic Society strategy to guarantee fundamental rights." He envisions establishing a Chungnam-style basic society model that guarantees income, housing, and opportunity, aiming to make it a model for the entire nation in the future.

Park argued that the Democratic Party must win to restore the economy by leveraging national governance power. He said, "While national economic indicators appear to be on the mend, the effects have not yet trickled all the way down to the grassroots," and added, "A strong ruling party candidate can guarantee the future." Park also stated, "The people want their daily lives restored through President Lee Jae-myung’s pragmatic, people-centered politics."

Suhyun Park, the Democratic Party governor candidate for Chungnam Province, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at his campaign office in Cheonan, Chungnam, on the 16th. Photo by Suhyun Park Camp

The following is a Q&A with candidate Park.

- Chungcheong is often called the 'barometer of public sentiment.' What is the current mood?

▲ It seems that people are desperately searching for a candidate who can truly restore livelihoods that have collapsed. Because President Lee Jae-myung’s approval rating is so high, voters agree that this time they must elect a strong ruling party candidate who can defend people’s livelihoods alongside the president. However, as election day approaches, supporters of each side will rally, narrowing the gap with the People Power Party, and how much that gap closes will be key.

- There are also two by-elections in the Chungnam area (Asan-eul and Gongju·Buyeo·Cheongyang), and both Democratic Party candidates are political newcomers.

▲ On the contrary, I believe the unique perspective of political newcomers is an asset. Because they can deliver messages that resonate with every generation, I believe this is a winning combination.

- Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang are considered among the most challenging regions in Chungnam.

▲ As the gubernatorial candidate, my support is naturally very high in these areas. I expect there will be a synergistic effect.

- How would you assess your opponent, Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate?

▲ I have never offered an evaluation of Governor Kim Tae-heum’s administration to date. There is no past that is not valuable. Former Governor Yang Seung-jo (the 38th) built the foundation for "Welfare Chungnam," upon which the vision of "Mighty Chungnam" under the 39th Governor Kim Tae-heum was established. Now, "AI Chungnam" under the 40th Governor Park Suhyun should be built upon that. That said, I have already completed a thorough analysis of Governor Kim’s administration together with a professional evaluation agency. There is a difference between refraining from criticism out of ignorance and refraining from criticism despite knowing. I will carry on the strengths and improve or correct any shortcomings.

- What advantages do you believe you have over your opponent?

▲ I place the utmost importance on human dignity. My campaign slogan is "A New Perspective, Bold Design." Based on my experience chairing the National Balanced Development Special Committee, which is equivalent to the government transition committee under the Lee Jae-myung administration, where I designed the "Five Core and Three Special Zones" regional growth strategy and administrative integration, I will look to Chungnam’s future with a wide-angle lens, both broadly and far ahead. Also, as the ruling party candidate, my strong ability to execute is another advantage.

- What is your strategy for the remainder of the campaign?

▲ I will do my best to respond to what the people most hope for. Along with normalizing Korea’s democratic system, which is called the normalization of the nation, the livelihoods and economy of the people must recover. In the remaining period, I will focus on livelihoods and policy.

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