102 Professors and Researchers from Gyeongnam Declare Support for Kim Kyungsoo and Song Soonho

One hundred and two university professors and researchers from the Gyeongnam region have publicly declared their support for Kim Kyungsoo, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and Song Soonho, the candidate for Changwon Special City Mayor.

Representatives of the professors and researchers held a press conference at the provincial government press center on the 19th, stating, "Our community of intellectuals in Gyeongnam strongly supports Kim Kyungsoo, candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and Song Soonho, candidate for Changwon Mayor, as the best partners to lead Gyeongnam's new leap forward and Changwon's innovative development."

They diagnosed the current situation by saying, "Young people are leaving their beloved hometown in search of jobs, the core industries that were once the pride of Korea have lost their drive for innovation and come to a halt, and the shadow of regional extinction has become a reality today. Gyeongnam is facing an existential crisis."

They further explained their support for the candidates by stating, "To overcome the crisis in Gyeongnam, we urgently need proven competence that requires no rehearsal, strong driving power that bridges central and local governments, and the readiness guaranteed by President Lee Jaemyung."

Professors and researchers from the Gyeongnam region are holding a press conference to declare their support for Kim Kyungsoo, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and Song Sungho, the candidate for Changwon Special City Mayor.
[Photo by Lee Seryung]

Regarding Kim Kyungsoo, they said, "He played a key role in securing the Southern Inland Railway, is the architect of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Megacity, a practitioner who transformed the Changwon National Industrial Complex into a smart green industrial complex and fired the starting gun for the revival of manufacturing, and is a prepared chairman of the Local Era Committee. Kim has already overwhelmingly proven his capability through managing provincial affairs and is the right person to turn back the clock on Gyeongnam, which has come to a standstill, and to revive the heart of the Korean economy."

Regarding Song Soonho, they stated, "Having served as a Supreme Council member under Lee Jaemyung's party leadership, Song represented the region's voice at the center of national politics, and was the person chosen by then-party leader Lee Jaemyung. He is the best partner who can secure the full support of the central government and the party, and most perfectly realize Governor Kim Kyungsoo's grand blueprint."

The professors and researchers declared, "We will not stop at simply announcing our support in this election. We will add an academic foundation to the vision of these two strong and prepared candidates chosen by Lee Jaemyung, and will continuously present practical policy alternatives."

They added, "We will establish a system that enables universities and local industries to coexist, prevent the outflow of talent, and make Gyeongnam the nation’s top research and development (R&D) hub. With the conscience of intellectuals, we will strictly monitor and support whether the two candidates keep their promises to the residents and citizens to the very end."

Finally, they appealed, "This election is a crossroads between returning to the stagnation of the past and advancing toward a competent future. Please unite your support behind Kim Kyungsoo and Song Soonho, who are guaranteed by Lee Jaemyung and nurtured by Gyeongnam."

The list of supporters includes 21 from Kyungnam University, 14 from Gyeongsang National University, 25 from Changwon National University, 11 from Masan University, 2 from Munseong University, 11 from Inje University, 3 from Jinju National University of Education, 3 from Changshin University, 1 from Kyungwoon University, 1 from Pukyong National University, 3 from Pusan National University, 1 from Chonnam National University, 1 from the Institute of Culture and Tourism Policy, 1 from the Korea Institute of Ecology and Environment, and 1 from KADC, totaling 102 individuals affiliated with universities and institutions in the Gyeongnam region or with ties to Gyeongnam.

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