Kim Kyungsoo and Jung Wono Announce Gyeongnam-Seoul Win-Win Cooperation ... 'Promoting the Gyeongnam-Style Seongsu Project'

by Lee Seryeong

Published 21 Apr.2026 23:34(KST)

Kim Kyungsoo, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jung Wono, the Democratic Party candidate for Mayor of Seoul, visited Changdong Culture and Arts Village in Masan, Changwon City, to announce the 'Gyeongnam-Seoul Win-Win Cooperation Joint Declaration.'

On April 21, the two candidates held a press conference on Changdong Street, stating, "We will unite our perspectives as Gyeongnam's advanced manufacturing and future industries and Seoul's innovation, culture, and finance come together to move toward becoming a global central city."

They added, "Seoul and Gyeongnam are not competitors but cooperative partners for growth," and pledged, "We will create a new model for balanced development in Korea, where every region grows together, moving beyond a metropolitan-centered system."

Kim Kyungsoo, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and Jung Wonoh, the candidate for Mayor of Seoul, visited Changdong Cultural and Arts Village in Masan, Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province to make a 'Gyeongnam-Seoul Win-Win Cooperation Joint Declaration.'

First, the two candidates will promote the 'Gyeongnam-style Seongsu Project' in the historical downtown areas of Gyeongnam, including Changdong in Masan Happo-gu, by combining youth creativity, culture and arts, and local brands, based on the successful model of urban regeneration, startups, and culture in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.

Additionally, they proposed leading Korea's AI transformation by integrating Gyeongnam's advanced manufacturing with Seoul's innovation capabilities, and building an 'entrepreneurship ecosystem for all' by connecting Gyeongnam's venture startups with Seoul's investment support infrastructure.

They also promised to link Gyeongnam's industrial sites with Seoul's universities and research institutions to foster practical, field-ready talent and strengthen industry-academia cooperation. They further pledged to kick off early the achievement of 30 million inbound tourists to South Korea by revitalizing rural migration and stay-type tourism.

Other commitments included securing stable sales channels for Gyeongnam's agricultural and marine products, establishing a win-win distribution system linked to the Seoul consumer market, and delivering tangible results through resident-focused administration and youth-advancing policy foundations.

Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province Kim Kyungsoo (left) and Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Wono are holding up the 'Gyeongnam-Seoul Mutual Cooperation Joint Declaration Agreement' signed at Masan Changdong Culture and Arts Village in Changwon, Gyeongnam.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

Candidate Kim stated, "Masan Changdong is the site of the March 15 Movement and the Buma Uprising, and is the cultural and artistic root of Masan. It is an unforgettable historical place for Masan citizens and Gyeongnam residents, but since the 1960s, as Masan declined, Changdong also fell on hard times." He continued, "Urban regeneration projects to revive Masan Changdong began in 2012 and are still ongoing, but they are not enough to foster the dreams and hopes of young people."

He added, "I plan to start a Gyeongnam-style Seongsu-dong in Masan Changdong, just like what Candidate Jung achieved in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. To keep young people from leaving Gyeongnam, industry is important, but a vibrant culture and arts scene is also essential."

He further emphasized, "Changdong must be revitalized for Masan to thrive, Masan must thrive for Changwon to prosper, and Changwon must prosper for Gyeongnam to flourish. I will launch the Gyeongnam-style Seongsu-dong here in Changdong."

Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province Kim Kyungsoo (left) and Seoul mayoral candidate Jung Wono are visiting Masan Changdong Cultural and Arts Village in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, holding a meeting with local residents.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

Candidate Jung commented, "When I became mayor of Seongdong-gu in 2014, the old factory district that no one visited is now a sports hub attracting people from around the world, and that energy has completely revived the local economy. Ultimately, this is the power of culture."

He continued, "A city is revived when there is a reason people want to stay. I will share the Seongsu experience and Seoul's know-how with Candidate Kim, and together we will add culture to Gyeongnam's industries and potential, turning the region into a place where people and opportunities gather."

The two candidates agreed that, if elected, they will immediately form a Gyeongnam-Seoul working-level consultative body upon taking office to push ahead with priority initiatives and gradually expand practical cooperation in areas such as industry, youth, tourism, and distribution.

Right after the press conference, the two candidates moved to a cafe in Changdong Arts Village, where they held a meeting with local youth, businesspeople, and residents to discuss ways to revitalize the local economy.