In the June 3 local election, Choi Eun-seok of the People Power Party, who declared a run for Daegu mayor, is a first-term lawmaker who previously served as the president of a large conglomerate's affiliate. In an interview with ChosunBiz on the 12th, Choi said, "Haven't the leaders who have led Daegu so far clung too much to the political issue of being the heart of conservatism?" He added, "To protect the pride and dignity of being the heart of conservatism, we also need to solve bread-and-butter issues, and that was lacking." He argued that in this local election, the person most suitable for "reviving Daegu's economy" should be elected mayor.
◇"We must once again spark innovative entrepreneurial spirit"
Choi compared Daegu's economy to "a corporations on the brink of bankruptcy." He assessed, "Daegu failed to shift to an advanced textile industry and stumbled in attracting new growth industries, falling into a vicious cycle of job shortages, an outflow of young people, and sluggish consumption." Daegu's per capita gross regional domestic product (GRDP, based on 2024) is 31.37 million won. That is the lowest among the nation's 17 metropolitan cities and provinces and falls short of the national average (49.48 million won). Daegu's GRDP has remained at the bottom for 33 years since 1993.
Although Choi is a first-term lawmaker elected in Daegu Dong-gu–Gunwi-gun A, he is a professional manager who, before entering politics, served in key posts at CJ Group and later as CEO of CJ CheilJedang. He said, "In the upcoming local election, we should choose someone with the experience and know-how to revive Daegu's economy rather than a political résumé," adding, "As an executive and CEO at CJ, I grew brands like Olive Young and Bibigo into bywords of 'K-beauty' and 'K-food.'" He continued, "Turning Daegu into a startup mecca, improving the economic fundamentals, and boosting corporations' competitiveness are things I can do best with my experience as a large conglomerate CEO."
Choi said various industries in Daegu have ample growth potential and latent strengths. He said that if textiles and eyewear can be well tied together with design, advanced materials, and stories, they can grow into future industries to any extent.
He said, "Daegu is the city where Samsung's economic innovation and entrepreneurial mindset began, and we need an attempt to once again raise such innovation and entrepreneurial spirit to awaken Daegu."
◇Heavyweights like Joo Ho-young and Choo Kyung-ho expected to run… "The party primary is harder than winning the mayoral race"
In Daegu, after former Mayor Hong Joon-pyo resigned ahead of the last presidential election, the vice mayor for administrative affairs has been serving as acting mayor.
In the June 3 local election, political heavyweights are also running for Daegu mayor. Joo Ho-young, the current National Assembly vice speaker and a six-term lawmaker, is preparing to run. Choo Kyung-ho, a three-term lawmaker and former floor leader, has already declared his candidacy. Lawmaker Yoo Young-ha, known as a close aide to former President Park Geun-hye, may also run.
A political figure in the Daegu region said, "In Daegu, the stronghold of the People Power Party, there is a saying that 'the party primary is harder than winning the mayoralty,'" adding, "For a political newcomer to become the party's mayoral candidate, there must be a strong grassroots breeze that 'this time a new figure is needed.'"
Choi said, "Daegu citizens are not asking 'who is better at politics' now, but 'who can truly sustain Daegu.' I am convinced that the only answer to that question is Choi Eun-seok," expressing confidence.