Democratic Party Preliminary Candidate Hwang Tae-seong Announces Candidacy for Gimcheon Mayor By-election... Proposes "3 Major Issues and 7 Innovation Pledges"

by Gu Daeseon

Published 06 Jan.2025 15:38(KST)

Hwang Tae-seong (52), a preliminary candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea running in the Kimcheon mayoral by-election scheduled for April 2, held a press conference on the morning of the 6th at KTX Kimcheon-Gumi Station and presented the ‘3 Major Issues and 7 Innovation Pledges,’ including the installation of a Kimcheon Station and Bus Terminal complex transfer center.

Candidate Hwang emphasized, “The violation of the Public Official Election Act by the Kimcheon mayor, the administrative vacuum, the impeachment caused by the president’s unconstitutional rebellion, government paralysis, diplomatic failure, and economic crisis are making the lives of our citizens even more difficult,” adding, “We need a mayor who will lead innovative growth.”

Democratic Party preliminary candidate Hwang Tae-seong running for the Kimcheon mayoral by-election.

Candidate Hwang stated, “Over 5,000 young people have already left in search of jobs, and even mobilizing all available assets to overcome livelihood difficulties is not enough, while the city budget has been cut by more than 100 billion won. The mayor who should lead is vacant, and the morale of public officials has hit rock bottom,” stressing, “Urgent bold triple changes of player replacement, generational change, and regime change are needed.”

Additionally, Hwang identified three urgent issues: ‘Rapid administrative stabilization’ and ‘Emergency financial support for business owners and small merchants’ to restore livelihoods, and ‘Urgent resolution of environmental issues’ such as the installation of the Daesindong SRF incineration plant, waste import to Eomo Industrial Complex, and the ultra-large oil storage facility problem in Mundang-dong.

He then proposed the ‘7 Major Pledges for Kimcheon’s Innovative Growth,’ including ‘Establishment of Kimcheon Station and Bus Terminal complex transfer center and introduction of next-generation transportation systems,’ ‘Foundation and stepping stone financial support for the millennial generation,’ ‘Support for startups, companies, and small merchants,’ ‘Attraction of 8 new industries and creation of Kimcheon-style jobs,’ ‘Senior care specialized industry and talent development support,’ ‘Development of the three major vacancy types (vacant houses, vacant stores, vacant workplaces) and urban regeneration,’ and ‘Creation of AI smart farms and food industry clusters.’

Hwang Tae-seong previously served as the chairman of the Democratic Party’s Kimcheon regional committee and the Democratic Party Gyeongbuk provincial party’s occupational committee. Last year, he ran as the Democratic Party candidate for the National Assembly in Kimcheon during the general election, receiving 23.22% of the vote but was defeated.