People Power Party Gangwon governor candidate Kim Jin-tae on the 26th criticized head-on Democratic Party of Korea Gangwon governor candidate Woo Sang-ho's campaign slogan, "the person sent by the president," in an interview with ChosunBiz. Kim said, "At your age, it's absurd to be using some kind of 'dad chance.' If you're running for office, you should talk about yourself. How is it any different from saying, 'My dad is strong and rich. So elect me class president'?"
Kim sees this election as a matchup of "central politics versus regional workers." As for Woo highlighting his background as senior presidential secretary for political affairs, Kim said, "Having long engaged in politics in the center is both Woo's strength and his weakness," adding, "As the campaign goes on, it keeps showing that his understanding of the Gangwon region is low."
Regarding the race, Kim said, "Recent polls show we narrowed the support gap to 4.5 percentage points," adding, "The trend of narrowing is more important than the numbers. It's a clear chase." He said, "I trust the grassroots sentiment and the achievements of the past four years," adding, "If we highlight policy continuity and who the true Gangwon person is, we can dispel the wind of central politics." The following is a Q&A with Kim.
─You strongly criticized Woo Sang-ho's slogan, "the person sent by the president." How do you see the core contours of this election?
"Local elections choose workers for the region. They are not elections to choose errand runners for the president. At your age, it's absurd to be using some kind of "dad chance." If you're running for office, you should talk about yourself. How is it any different from saying, "My dad is strong and rich. So elect me class president"? Having long engaged in politics in the center is both Woo's strength and his weakness. As the campaign goes on, it keeps showing that his understanding of the Gangwon region is low."
─Your campaign motto is "a Gangwon person of loyalty and grit." What does it mean?
"Loyalty and grit are my identity. Regardless of party, if it's for the province's development and the lives of residents, I don't look away, and I push it through to the end—that's my style. I put that spirit into the phrase "loyalty and grit.""
─You even shaved your head while calling for the third revision of the Gangwon Special Act.
"I believe I laid the groundwork for the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province with grit. During the full revision of the Gangwon Special Act, I kept knocking and persuading a government that was cautious about deregulation and ultimately led to its passage in the plenary session. In the third revision, I pressed ahead even at the risk of shaving my head. In a second term, I will show residents the same driving force."
─There are concerns that Gangwon could be sidelined as other metropolitan governments pursue administrative integration.
"This is why I say Woo Sang-ho's slogan, "the person sent by the president," rings hollow. While I was Gangwon governor, I worked hard to bring the "National AI Computing Center" to Gangwon, but early this year it went to Honam. Woo, who was then the senior presidential secretary for political affairs, took my call but could not do anything. If the government and ruling party decide for political reasons to favor Honam, what recourse would even a governor from the presidential office have?"
─Do you mean Kim Jin-tae can do what even a senior presidential secretary cannot?
"Even under the Lee Jae-myung administration, we opened the era of 10 trillion won in national funds for Gangwon for the first time. Of our eight-for-eight wins in large-scale SOC projects, three were secured from the Lee administration. Central ministries evaluate project feasibility to select projects and allocate budgets. In the end, there is no royal road other than pounding the pavement yourself and persuading with logic. In that sense, I believe I have more experience and know-how than Woo."
─What do you consider the biggest achievement of the past four years of provincial administration?
"The era of 10 trillion won in national funds and going eight for eight in SOC projects are achievements, but I would point to settling the seven future industries. Over four years, we launched 120 advanced future projects totaling 4 trillion won. Each project averaged 33 billion won. Converted over my term, that means creating a new project every 12 days."
─If you win a second term, what will be your top priority?
"To shift Gangwon's economic structure to focus on future industries, the seven future industries are most urgent. If the past four years were a period of taking root and settling, the next four should be a time to fill in the blueprint step by step.
For example, in semiconductors, Gangwon is focusing on infrastructure investment and attraction, such as establishing a semiconductor training institute and building a consumables demonstration center. The Semiconductor Special Act, which passed the National Assembly in Jan., is now in the enforcement decree stage. Once the law takes effect, local governments nationwide will apply for designation as semiconductor clusters. Gangwon has top-tier conditions in abundant water, geographic accessibility, and power self-sufficiency. By actively promoting these strengths, we will secure national funding and lead a great industrial transformation of Gangwon."
─You pledged to develop Kangwon Land into a global integrated resort.
"Easing regulations on Kangwon Land does not mean "let's further loosen the casino." It means upgrading it into a global integrated resort that, centered on the casino, also attracts hotels, shopping, medical and wellness, culture, performances, e-sports, international conventions, and corporate events.
By shedding the image tied to gambling and aligning with the "future industry global city" championed by the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, we can grow advanced service, tourism, and content industries together. Las Vegas is a representative example."
─There is considerable pushback that this expands gambling businesses.
"I fully understand those concerns. We will redesign regulations on the premise of more transparent management, a strong addiction prevention and treatment system, and a responsible funding structure that returns benefits to residents. But if we leave in place the current structure that, in the name of regulation, keeps Kangwon Land half-hobbled, abandoned mining areas such as Jeongseon, Taebaek, Yeongwol, and Samcheok will continue to face population decline and industrial stagnation."