[6.3 Election] Solaseado Completion vs. Alleyway Economy Innovation: Which Will Haenam Residents Choose?

The race for Haenam County Governor in South Jeolla Province, part of the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, is heating up. An intense contest is expected between the incumbent candidate Myeon Hyungwan of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is emphasizing continuity in county administration by promoting himself as a "proven economic governor," and Seo Haegun of the Innovation of the Homeland Party, who aims to revitalize the county government with his hands-on expertise developed over 40 years in public service.

In local political circles, the main point of interest is which side voters will support: the effective settlement of major national projects or on-the-ground, resident-focused administration.

Myeon Hyun-kwan (left), Seo Hae-geun (right)

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◆Myeon Hyungwan with 'Proven Results' Sets Sights on Haenam's Future with 'ACE Haenam'

The greatest strengths of Myeon Hyungwan, who is seeking a third term, are his demonstrated administrative capacity and economic achievements during the 7th and 8th popularly elected terms. He has put forward the so-called "ACE Haenam" strategy, which focuses on clustering AI (Artificial Intelligence), Culture, and Energy industries.

He has laid out a blueprint to transform Haenam from a simple agricultural and fishing area into a new growth center in the southwest region of South Jeolla, through the establishment of a data center cluster within the Solaseado Corporate City and the creation of a RE100 national industrial complex.

Myeon’s emphasis on policy continuity is supported by objective indicators. He achieved the highest 'SA' grade for eight consecutive years in the nationwide local government pledge implementation assessment by the Korea Manifesto Practical Movement Headquarters-an outstanding achievement. In addition, for the first time in Haenam’s history, the county received the top grade for comprehensive integrity, breaking the cycle of administrative distrust from the past.

Myeon’s campaign team appeals for support, stating, "Major national projects that will determine Haenam’s future for the next hundred years are only now gaining traction. The most qualified person who understands these projects best must ensure progress without interruption."

◆Seo Haegun, '40-Year Administrative Veteran,' Pledges On-Site, Practical Innovation

Seo Haegun, his opponent, is highlighting “practical, field-oriented administration” based on the solid hands-on capabilities he has developed over 40 years in public office. His plan is to address the blind spots of administration that have been overshadowed by superficial, outward growth and to focus on tangible improvements in residents’ quality of life.

Seo’s top campaign pledge is to build an on-site, resident-focused support system for small business owners and farmers and fishers, who are the lifeblood of the local economy. In particular, his strategy is to maximize administrative efficiency by innovating the conventional administrative system to be more demand-centered.

Seo Haegun emphasized, "With the experience I have gained from 46 years in Haenam's administration and council, I will bring about change through capability, not words."

◆'Continuity vs. Renewal'... Solutions to Population Decline and Local Economy Expected to Decide Outcome

This Haenam County Governor election is taking shape as a clear contest between "macroscopic future growth" (Myeon Hyungwan) and "microscopic, tangible innovation" (Seo Haegun).

A local business leader commented, "It is true that Governor Myeon's record of attracting large projects gives voters a sense of stability, but addressing the concerns arising from long-term incumbency remains an issue. Meanwhile, candidate Seo must demonstrate concrete capabilities to untangle the major and intertwined local issues."

Ultimately, during the remainder of the campaign period, the decisive factor for Haenam’s voters is expected to be which candidate can present effective solutions to overcome the existential crisis of population decline and to revive the stagnant local commercial sector.

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