[Local Election Interview] Chu Kyung-ho: "Daegu Needs a Competent Economic Expert... Attracting the Semiconductor Industry"

Interview with Chu Kyung-ho, People Power Party Candidate for Daegu Mayor

Chu Kyung-ho, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Daegu, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at his campaign office located in Suseong District, Daegu. Photo by Chu Kyung-ho Campaign Office

"So-called 'powerful ruling party candidates' can supposedly secure large budgets? Budgets are not automatically allocated just because you belong to the ruling party. What matters is the ability to logically persuade the government—what I call 'competence.'"

On May 20, Chu Kyung-ho, the People Power Party candidate for Daegu mayor, stated in an interview with The Asia Business Daily at his campaign office in Suseong District, Daegu, "Since not all of our supporters have returned yet, I will do my best to emphasize the role of an 'economic expert worker' who can protect and revive the heart of conservatism (Daegu), and bring people together more strongly."

Chu, who was born in Dalseong, Daegu, graduated from Daegu Gyesong High School and Korea University, passed the civil service exam, and began his career as a public servant. He previously served as Vice Minister of Economy and Finance and as Minister for Government Policy Coordination (ministerial level). Since first entering the National Assembly during the 20th session, he has won three consecutive terms and went on to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, as well as floor leader of the ruling party, before running for mayor of Daegu.

Regarding his close race with Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, Chu said, "We have overcome nomination conflicts and formed a united front, which, along with increased expectations for me as a former Deputy Prime Minister of Economy and Finance, has had an impact. In addition, watching the special prosecutor's investigation into case dismissals has created a sense that arrogant power needs to be judged."

On his opponent Kim, Chu remarked, "Citizens say, 'He served as a member of the National Assembly (Suseong District A, Daegu), minister, and prime minister under the Moon Jae-in administration, but did nothing for Daegu.' Regarding the securing of budgets for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) Integrated New Airport and the handling of the Administrative Integration Act, Kim did absolutely nothing."

Chu also addressed his indictment for participating in the key duties related to the Dec. 3 Martial Law, saying, "This is political repression and manipulation aimed at severing the lifeline of conservative parties, and I will confront it head-on and win. I also want to ask whether the Democratic Party, which has tried to cover up President Lee Jae-myung's crimes and has been embroiled in the Cartier watch scandal, is qualified to attack me."

Regarding his campaign pledge for a 'Daegu Grand Overhaul,' Chu said, "By around 2030, the semiconductor cluster being established in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province will reach full capacity. The best location for a second semiconductor cluster, with abundant water, power, workforce, and land, is Daegu. I will organize a mayoral task force dedicated to attracting investment in preparation for this."

On fostering the automobile industry, he explained, "We are envisioning a convergence ecosystem that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the foundation of Daegu's auto parts industry to produce future vehicles, robots, and purpose-built vehicles (PBVs)."

The following is a Q&A with candidate Chu.

▲As a former Deputy Prime Minister of Economy and Finance and floor leader, why did you choose 'Daegu' over central politics?

=The economy in Daegu is in a very difficult state, and there were strong calls for me to use my expertise to revitalize the local economy. I thought a great deal about whether to continue in central politics, but ultimately decided that the right thing was to contribute to the development of my hometown, Daegu, using my expertise. I want to make delivering results for Daegu city administration, by gathering wisdom with citizens, the final chapter of my long public service career.

▲Some recent polls suggest you have succeeded in achieving a 'golden cross.' What is your view?

=Up to now, the party's internal divisions and conflicts have been widely exposed in the media, and there was considerable disappointment and anger over the less-than-smooth nomination process, which led to much of the public and our supporters turning away. However, as even those who had considered running as independents have set aside their ambitions to form a united front, our supporters now have a clear rallying point. Also, as I, a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, have become the final candidate, expectations about solving Daegu's economic problems have contributed to consolidating our support base.

▲It seems that the theory of regime checks is gaining traction even in Yeongnam. What is your perspective?

=Recently, the issue of the special prosecutor law for case dismissals has arisen, and the so-called "national dividend" gaffe by Blue House policy chief Kim Yong-beom has added fuel to the sentiment that "arrogant power must be judged." Many citizens I meet in the field shake my hand and say, "Please win," and "You must win and protect us." Although public sentiment is returning, it is too soon to say it has fully consolidated. Now, as the race enters what is commonly referred to as a neck-and-neck phase, I will do my best to emphasize my role as an 'expert worker' who can protect and revive the heart of conservatism, so that support can grow even stronger.

▲What is your opinion on the possibility of unifying the candidacy with former leader Han Dong-hoon in the Busan Buk-gu A by-election?

=That is a matter for the parties involved to judge appropriately.

▲You have been indicted for participation in key duties related to the Dec. 3 Martial Law. What is your response?

=The Democratic Party is targeting me, then the floor leader, to conceal its own political shortcomings. Further, it is a political repression and manipulation intended to dissolve the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party and sever the lifeline of the conservative party. From the pretrial detention warrant review stage, I declared I would waive my parliamentary immunity and confront this head-on, and indeed, the warrant was dismissed in the actual hearing. I will fight and win against this political manipulation. I question whether the Democratic Party is qualified to attack me. For instance, Busan mayoral candidate Jeon Jae-soo's alleged Cartier watch bribery case was dismissed due to the statute of limitations, and President Lee Jae-myung has appeared in court five times for 12 charges, yet ran for president and is now even trying to erase his crimes.

▲Please assess Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party candidate for Daegu mayor.

=Kim served as a member of the National Assembly, minister, and even prime minister during the Moon Jae-in administration. If he was going to be influential, it should have been then. Many Daegu citizens say, "You served as prime minister, but what did you do for Daegu under the Moon administration? Nothing at all." Moreover, after his defeat, he left Daegu for Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province and effectively retired from politics. Now he has returned to Daegu, claiming he will solve its problems, but there must be questions about his sincerity and capability.

▲Kim is emphasizing his status as a 'powerful ruling party candidate.' What are your thoughts?

=I question whether Kim is truly powerful. When we were strongly advocating for the passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative integration law, Kim, even as he was finalizing his decision to run, did nothing. Using the integration law for election strategy after the fact is all it amounts to; I do not believe he is truly capable of solving these issues. Regarding the Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport Special Act, his only proposal has been "borrowing money." Budgets are not guaranteed just because you are in the ruling party. Allocating budgets depends on how logically you can persuade the government about the validity of your proposals from across the country, not simply on party affiliation. As a former Deputy Prime Minister who has directly planned and allocated budgets, I have a comparative advantage and can achieve much greater results.

▲You have pledged to attract semiconductor companies as part of the Daegu Grand Overhaul. Can you explain in detail?

=Currently, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are expanding their fabs in Yongin. With the advent of the AI era, this trend will continue for a while, but by the early 2030s, Yongin and the greater metropolitan area will reach full capacity. Therefore, establishing a second semiconductor cluster is essential. The semiconductor industry requires abundant water, electricity, workforce, and affordable land—and Daegu is the optimal location. Daegu has plentiful water from the Nakdong River, is not far from nuclear power plants on the east coast, making power supply easy, and land prices are lower than in the metropolitan area.

▲How do you plan to secure skilled personnel?

=In terms of workforce, there are many excellent universities in the region, including DGIST, POSTECH, and Kyungpook National University, making it possible to secure a talent pool. Since it takes an average of 8 to 10 years to set up a semiconductor complex and operate a fab, we must plan and act now. I will emphasize that Daegu is the optimal location for the second complex. To this end, I will form a mayoral task force for investment attraction, including labor representatives, and work together to draw in investment.

▲You have also said you would attract finished car manufacturers. Do you have specific companies or plans in mind?

=Daegu has a solid foundation in the auto parts industry. We are envisioning a convergence ecosystem that goes beyond simply supplying parts, by integrating AI technology into the existing auto parts companies to produce future vehicles, robots, and purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). I will create a structure for transitioning to future-oriented and robotics-based automobile industries.

▲There is a sense of alienation in northern Gyeongbuk regarding the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk. How do you address this?

=Residents in northern Gyeongbuk must be the first to experience the benefits of integration. I will ensure that government budget support and incentives related to administrative integration are systematically used to expand social overhead capital (SOC), foster the tourism, bio, and agro-life industries, and improve medical infrastructure in the northern region. In particular, through special legislation and institutional design, I will use the authority and finances transferred from the central government to fill the chronic budget gaps and create a new beginning for the northern Gyeongbuk region.

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