Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for South Chungcheong governor, said in an interview with ChosunBiz on the 27th that she would reintroduce the South Chungcheong–Daejeon administrative integration bill and aim to pass it in the National Assembly within the year, adding she would willingly risk a shortened term. South Chungcheong and Daejeon were the regions where discussions on administrative integration began first, but after last-minute turmoil, the parties ultimately failed to reach an agreement.
Citing South Chungcheong's reality of a crisis in the steel and petrochemical industries, Park stressed the need to prepare for the shift to the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Park said South Chungcheong, which has an industrial belt connecting Dangjin, Seosan, and Asan, is at risk of falling behind in the AI era, adding the province must overcome this crisis through AI-driven innovation and build an "AI basic society" in which this innovation affects all residents.
– You are giving up your parliamentary seat to run for a metropolitan governor post. What led you to decide to run?
In my 24 years in politics, I spent 18 in a constituency considered a tough battleground, working intensely as a district party chair outside the Assembly. South Chungcheong has been narrowing the gap with other regions through specialized industries in semiconductors, displays, steel, and petrochemicals, and now a massive wave called AI has arrived. I believe I have been called by party members and the public to respond to this change of the times.
– What is the state of South Chungcheong's regional economy?
Amid deepening concentration in the capital area, the relative deprivation felt in South Chungcheong is greater than ever. One in 10 small businesses in the province closes, and three suspend operations. The manufacturing-centered industrial structure is wavering in the face of the climate crisis and the AI transition. I think productivity will hinge on how we carry out an AI grand transition. We need to quickly draw up a blueprint.
– The South Chungcheong–Daejeon administrative integration ultimately did not materialize.
At the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning under the Lee Jae-myung administration, I drew up the blueprint for the "five hubs and three special zones" strategy to address regional extinction. If I become South Chungcheong governor, I will immediately form a consultative body to push administrative integration with the Daejeon mayor. Within this year, I aim to reintroduce the South Chungcheong–Daejeon integration bill and pass it in the National Assembly. As the architect of the administrative integration, I intend to take responsibility and see through the 20 trillion won in government fiscal support that was lost due to the failure of integration.
– You said you would accept a shortened term for administrative integration.
I plan to push for holding the election for the integrated special mayor alongside the 2028 general election. Given its geographic proximity to the capital area, the Chungcheong region has the highest chance of success for the "five hubs and three special zones" strategy. If integration falls through, we could even squander our geographic advantage. The length of the term is meaningless. Without a decision from President Lee Jae-myung now, there is no guarantee we can achieve proper administrative integration in the future. If we fail to accomplish integration, even serving a full four-year term would not ensure we are chosen again by the public.
– How do you assess your rival, Kim Tae-heum of the People Power Party?
I wonder what meaning there is in evaluating the past four years of provincial administration. I have a personal acquaintance with Kim, so I suggested we debate our visions for the future.
- Your run for South Chungcheong governor triggers a by-election in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang. The People Power Party is said to be fielding former chief of staff Chung Jin-suk.
Former chief Chung was at the very center of the insurrection, and a trial is underway over responsibility for trampling the constitutional order. There is no justification for entrusting our region again to an insurrectionary force on trial. I trust the citizens of Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang.
☞Who is Park Soo-hyun
Born in Gongju, South Chungcheong, Park graduated from the attached high school of Gongju National Teachers College and entered the Department of Western History at Seoul National University before being expelled for student activism. After working as an aide, Park served as special policy advisor to South Chungcheong Province in 2010. In the 19th general election in 2012, Park ran in the Gongju constituency of South Chungcheong and won a first term in the National Assembly. Under the Moon Jae-in administration, Park served as Blue House Spokesperson and then as senior presidential secretary for public communication. After the launch of the Democratic Party's Jung Chung-rae leadership, Park became the party's chief spokesperson.