Candidate Kang Byungduk Listens to Civil Society, Childcare, and Traditional Market Issues in a Marathon for Livelihoods

Kang Byungduk, Hanam Mayoral Candidate
Intensive Listening Tour on Local Issues
"I Will Meet Citizens with Greater Humility"

Kang Byungduk, the Democratic Party candidate for mayor of Hanam, held a series of relay meetings on May 18, centered around the "Hanam Grand Transformation Camp," with representatives from civil society, education, childcare, and traditional markets to listen to local issues.

Kang Byungduk, candidate for mayor of Hanam, is holding relay meetings with local organizations. Photo by Kang Byungduk

Throughout the day, candidate Kang met with various groups, including organizations for people with disabilities, the Steering Committee for the Public Interest Activity Support Center, the Association of Public Childcare Centers, the Comprehensive Childcare Support Center, and traditional market merchants' associations, directly hearing concerns from the field.

In the morning, Kang met with representatives from organizations for people with disabilities to listen to opinions on guaranteeing mobility rights, improving the accessibility of public facilities, and strengthening policies for disability care and support for independent living. Participants emphasized the need to expand support systems for families with disabilities and to improve practical welfare services. Kang stated, "A city is needed where the rights of people with disabilities are guaranteed as everyday basic rights, not as a matter of charity."

At the subsequent meeting with the Steering Committee for the Public Interest Activity Support Center, participants discussed ways to revitalize civil society and strengthen the foundations of the local community. The committee proposed the establishment of a support system for public interest activists and the development of a platform for citizen participation. Kang remarked, "A new form of governance means collaborating directly with civil society, and Hanam needs a governance system to achieve this."

Meetings on childcare issues were also held consecutively. In the meeting with the Association of Public Childcare Centers, key topics included support for stable operations, improving working conditions for teachers, and expanding the public nature of childcare. At the Comprehensive Childcare Support Center meeting, participants raised the need to strengthen care systems and expand support programs for parents.

Kang emphasized, "A city that is good for raising children is ultimately the most competitive city," and added, "The national responsibility for childcare and care services must be actively implemented at the local government level as well."

The meeting with the merchant associations of five traditional markets, held to discuss ways to revitalize traditional markets, was attended by Lee Kwangjae, a candidate in the by-election for the National Assembly. The two candidates exchanged views on the difficulties faced by merchants and discussed plans to stimulate consumption, improve parking and transportation environments, and foster specialized markets. Merchants voiced concerns about the prolonged economic downturn and the spread of online consumption. Both Kang and Lee agreed that "reviving traditional markets, which are the roots of the local economy, is the way to revive Hanam's economy."

Additionally, at the meeting with the association of elementary, middle, and high school parents held together with Assemblyman Kim Yongman, various opinions were exchanged on improving the educational environment, responding to future education in the era of AI, resolving school overcrowding, and addressing gaps in care. Kang stated, "It is important to establish an educational support system that ensures children have fair opportunities without regional educational disparities."

After concluding the day's meetings, Kang emphasized, "Although recent polls have consistently shown me in the lead, I will continue to meet citizens with greater humility and a more modest attitude," and instructed his campaign staff to "do our utmost as if we are behind."

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