With the June 3 local elections about 50 days away, the three candidates of the Democratic Party of Korea for Seoul mayor, Gyeonggi governor and Incheon mayor said on the 12th that they would prepare "common pledges for the capital region."
Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor Chong Won-o, Gyeonggi governor candidate Choo Mi-ae, and Incheon mayor candidate Park Chan-dae announced a "statement of resolution from a meeting of the three capital-region candidates" in front of the National Assembly that day.
The three said they would support the Lee Jae-myung administration's all-out response, including the swift execution of a wartime extra budget, to overcome the livelihood and economic crisis caused by the Middle East war, and would prepare joint response measures and common pledges.
They added that they would present the will and vision to solve capital-region issues together through joint schedules and joint messages during the campaign period. They also said they would create a Capital Region Administrative Council to respond systematically to joint pending issues such as transportation, housing and industry.
Chong said, "Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon are a single living, economic and cultural sphere," adding that "to overcome the Middle East war crisis, the central government and the three local governments in the capital region must come together and join forces."
Choo said, "When the capital region is integrated and solves problems together, Korea can regain its vision." Park said, "Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon share a common destiny that must jointly address the housing, transportation and future industry issues of 26 million residents in the capital region."