[6.3 Election] Park Wooryang and Kim Taesung Hold Shinan County Governor Kickoff Rallies... General Election Atmosphere Heats Up

Park Woo-ryang: "A Great Leap Forward for Shinan Through Proven Achievements"
Kim Taesung: "A New Shinan Where the People Are the True Owners"

On May 21, the official campaign period for the June 3 nationwide local elections began, and the candidates running for Shinan County Governor each held their kickoff rallies, marking the start of their campaigns for victory in the general election.

Kim Taesung, candidate for Shinan County Governor from the Cho-guk Innovation Party, held his kickoff rally at 11 a.m. that day, officially launching his campaign. Park Woo-ryang, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, held his official kickoff rally at 2 p.m. in front of the former Amhae Nonghyup in Amhae-eup, Shinan County, aiming to consolidate his support base.

On the 21st at 11 a.m., Kim Taesung, candidate for Shinan County Governor, held a launch event near the bus terminal in Aphae-eup, Shinan County. Photo by Seunghyun Jung

The kickoff rallies for both candidates drew a large number of figures from both national and local political circles, as well as supporters, signaling that the Shinan County Governor race had officially entered the main phase of the election.

Attendees at Kim Taesung's kickoff rally included National Assembly member Shin Jang-sik and former Shinan County Governor Ko Gil-ho, who came out to lend their support. In particular, former Governor Ko, who previously joined the candidate unification effort centered on Kim Taesung, has taken on the role of chief campaign manager for Kim's camp. The rally, therefore, represented more than just the start of a campaign; it was a show of unity for those calling for "reversal and change."

Kim has described this election as a pivotal turning point for the direction of Shinan County's administration, putting citizen-centric governance and fair management at the forefront. His campaign has stated its intention to unite calls for oversight and change into one vision, under the slogan, "We will create a new Shinan where the people are the true owners."

Kim, a native of Imja-myeon in Shinan, became the Cho-guk Innovation Party's candidate after retiring as a Major General in the Army. Leveraging his background as a military officer, along with a master's degree in defense management and a doctorate in public administration, he has emphasized his capabilities in organizational management and administrative innovation.

Kim's campaign is framing this election as a contest between the existing power structure and new leadership. While Park Woo-ryang touts his administrative experience and organizational control, Kim is appealing to voters with messages focused on expanding citizen participation, transparent decision-making, clean governance, and fair distribution of local resource benefits.

Notably, Kim has emerged as a potential game-changer in the race by achieving policy unification with Ko Gil-ho and former preliminary candidate Choi Jae-soon. The three agreed on unconditional policy unification centered on Kim. Ko Gil-ho joined as chief campaign manager, while Choi Jae-soon became chairman of the advisory committee.

Kim's campaign refers to this unification as forming a "One Team of Selfless Unity," emphasizing their role as an alternative force challenging the Democratic Party-dominated local political landscape. There is speculation among local political observers that if the support base for independent candidates unites behind Kim, the Shinan County Governor race could develop into a two-way contest between Park Woo-ryang of the Democratic Party and Kim Taesung of the Cho-guk Innovation Party.

Kim's team plans to use the kickoff rally as a springboard to ramp up on-the-ground campaigning across all towns and villages. Their key agenda items include addressing everyday inconveniences faced by island residents, increasing income for farmers and fishermen, improving transportation, welfare, and medical infrastructure, and ensuring greater fairness in the distribution of profits from renewable energy projects.

At the rally, members of Kim's campaign stated, "Those seeking change and happiness for Shinan's citizens are coming together as one," appealing for support by saying, "This election is not about any particular individual, but a choice to create a Shinan where the people are the true owners."

Later, at 2 p.m., Park Woo-ryang's kickoff rally also became a major event demonstrating his campaign's strength. Park, holding his official rally in front of the former Amhae Nonghyup in Amhae-eup, promoted the slogan, "Designer of the Sun and Wind Pension, Shinan is Park Woo-ryang."

At 2 p.m. on the 21st, Park Wooryang, candidate for Shinan County Governor, along with the Democratic Party candidates for the Shinan County Council, gathered together to vow their determination for a sure victory. Provided by Park Wooryang County Governor Candidate's Campaign Team

Over 1,000 people attended Park's rally, including National Assembly member Min Hyung-bae, former lawmaker Park Ji-won, National Assembly member Seo Sam-seok, National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee Chairman Shin Jeong-hoon, former minister Chun Jung-bae, Mokpo mayoral candidate Kang Seong-hwi, Muan County Governor candidate Kim San, major Democratic Party figures, candidates for local council, campaign staff, volunteers, and supporters from each town and village.

In his speech, Park stated, "Shinan is no longer a remote island but is becoming the center leading the future of Korea. Having ushered in an era where sunlight and wind generate income for residents, I will now complete Shinan's next leap forward by establishing a universal basic income and building a foundation for future industries for all residents."

He went on to say, "Together with the people, we have created countless changes, such as the '1004 Islands' brand, Purple Island, the Sun and Wind Pension, and the public ferry system. Moving forward, I will continue to walk the path no one has taken, together with the citizens of Shinan."

Park characterized this election as "an important choice that will determine the future of Shinan," appealing for support by pledging, "With my proven administrative experience and driving force, I will make the most of this golden opportunity to advance Shinan."

During his time as an elected governor, Park promoted profit-sharing policies that connected Shinan's natural resources to residents' income. His flagship Sun and Wind Pension policies return profits from solar and offshore wind development to the residents and have attracted attention as a local development model to counter population decline concerns.

He also highlighted his achievements in making Shinan a tourism brand through cultural and tourism initiatives such as Purple Island, the "One Island, One Museum" project, island garden creation, and world-class flower festivals. Park's major campaign pledges include expanding universal basic income for all residents, extending the Sun and Wind Pension to everyone, providing basic medical care, basic education, and basic housing, building a park golf course in every town and village, establishing world-class cultural and arts islands, supporting youth settlement, and creating jobs linked to the offshore wind power industry.

Seo Sam-seok, a National Assembly member, remarked, "Today's kickoff rally is not just the start of a campaign, but a declaration of Shinan's new leap forward based on past achievements. It will show citizens who knows Shinan best and who can take responsibility for its future with proven results."

Park Woo-ryang emphasized, "Politics should be judged not by words, but by results. Based on the achievements I've made together with the citizens, I will build a more prosperous and fair Shinan."

Local political circles view this Shinan County Governor election as a contest between Park Woo-ryang's "proven administrative experience" and Kim Taesung's "change and citizen sovereignty." From the very first day of the official campaign, both sides have mobilized support from political figures and organizational networks, heating up the atmosphere of the Shinan County Governor race.

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