Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Gov. Kim Jin-tae on the 14th formalized a bid for a second term.
At a news conference announcing his candidacy at the Gangwon Provincial Office that morning, Kim said, "We are standing at a great turning point, completely changing the industrial map from a Gangwon that sold only potatoes to advanced future industries," and added, "Because the industrial transition is not something that ends in four years, the person who knows Gangwon best must take responsibility and finish it."
Kim stressed policy continuity as the rationale for why he should win a second term. He said, "We ushered in an era of 10 trillion won in national funding, the largest in Gangwon's history, and launched 120 advanced future projects over four years," adding, "That means we created a project every 12 days during my tenure."
He continued, "Large-scale SOC projects, including the Yeongwol–Samcheok Expressway, set a record of '8 wins in 8 tries,' and we are now preparing the ninth and tenth projects," adding, "For this, my car traveled 200,000 km, equivalent to five laps around the Earth." He added, "Seven future industries, including semiconductors, bio, future cars, and hydrogen, are now taking root, and from now on we will devote ourselves to full-fledged attraction of corporations and job creation."
He also emphasized his roots in and affection for the region. Kim said, "I was born in Gangwon and went to elementary, middle and high school in Gangwon," adding, "I studied in Seoul for college, and even while working as a prosecutor, I could not forget Gangwon, so I served at the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office and the Wonju Branch."
He continued, "I served twice as a National Assembly member from Chuncheon, and though there was the pain of losing an election, out of loyalty to Gangwon I did not leave my hometown and stayed," adding, "After becoming governor, I drew up the blueprint for the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and personally coined the vision of a 'Mirae Industries global city,' becoming its first governor." He also said, "In the process of extensively revising the Gangwon Special Act twice, which had lacked substance, I fought with my whole body, including a shaved-head sit-in, to complete the current framework."
Kim said, "If the past four years were a time that made Gangwon special, the next four years will change each and every resident's life in a special way," stressing that he would build a "Gangwon-style cradle-to-grave care system," spanning from childbirth and child care to education, employment and retirement pensions.
Immediately after announcing his candidacy, Kim is scheduled to visit the Gangwon Provincial Election Commission to register as a preliminary candidate.