[Current Affairs Show] Yang Hyangja: "Choo Mi-ae, Who Pushes Bills Through Hastily, Is Very Dangerous"

"Gyeonggi Province Will See a Contest Between a Fighter and a Worker"

"Choo Mi-ae Will Use the Governorship as a Stepping Stone for a Presidential Run"

"It Is Strange to Refuse Campaign Support From the Party Leader"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily's "Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show" (Mon–Fri, 4–5 PM)

■ Host: Political Specialist Sosongseop ■ Producer: PD Lee Miri

■ Guest: Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party (April 23)

※ When citing content from this article, please be sure to credit "Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show."

Sosongseop: Hello, everyone. Welcome to Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show. The People Power Party's primary for Gyeonggi Province governor has been confirmed to have three candidates: Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party; former announcer Lee Seongbae; and former lawmaker Ham Jingyu, making it a three-way race. We have Supreme Council Member Yang Hyangja on the line. Hello, Ms. Yang?

Yang Hyangja: Yes, hello.

Sosongseop: It's a three-way primary. Are you confident of victory?

Yang Hyangja: Yes, I am confident.

Sosongseop: What is the basis for your confidence?

A matchup against Chu Mi-ae: Fighter vs. Worker

Yang Hyangja: In a one-on-one contest with candidate Chu Mi-ae, I believe I am the most suitable as a "worker" rather than a "fighter." The structure is clear, and the justification is strong, so I believe I will win.

Sosongseop: Why do you believe you are the right person to be governor of Gyeonggi Province?

Yang Hyangja, a Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, had a phone interview on the 23rd with The Asia Business Daily's "Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show." Photo by Huh Younghan

Yang Hyangja: Semiconductor is an advanced industry that accounts for 84.6% of South Korea’s value-added and 76% of its sales are in Gyeonggi Province. Without expertise in semiconductors, it would be difficult to run the provincial administration. I believe the Gyeonggi Province governor’s election calls for someone who can fully establish Gyeonggi as the heart of advanced industries. Furthermore, I think that residents will increasingly recognize that the province’s four-year administration must not become a political battlefield. In this context, I believe I can win by presenting a clear structure: fighter vs. worker, legal technician vs. industry expert, and past vs. future.

Gyeonggi's Administration Needs Semiconductor Expertise, Yang Hyangja Is the Answer

Moreover, with AI semiconductors and advanced industries, all provincial administration will change—and I can lead this most efficiently and effectively. Another compelling aspect of this election is that, for the first time in 32 years, a woman could become the head of a metropolitan government in Gyeonggi. The contest between Chu Mi-ae and Yang Hyangja is a historic one. Given this context, voters will have to decide who can truly focus on the province, who can elevate Gyeonggi to a world-class city, who can create jobs, and who can solve the region’s traffic crisis. Considering all these factors, I believe the answer is Yang Hyangja.

Sosongseop: Reactions to Leader Jang Donghyuk’s campaign support vary by region; in Gyeonggi, some lawmakers are forming separate regional campaign committees. What is your opinion on Leader Jang Donghyuk's support campaign?

It Is Strange to Reject the Support Campaign of a Party Leader Chosen by Party Members

Yang Hyangja: After all, isn’t the party leader elected by the party members, who are the true owners of the party? It is strange to talk about rejecting the leader’s support campaign. As for current lawmakers in Gyeonggi forming campaign committees first, I have also made many such proposals. If we delay too long, the election itself becomes difficult, which is why I have been saying for three months that we need to move quickly. Once a candidate is chosen, the schedule and policy announcements must proceed promptly, so it’s only right to get started. I want to correct the perception that this is an attempt to distance ourselves from party leadership. I have strongly requested this.

After completing his visit to the United States, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party (second from the right), is entering to attend the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the early morning of the 20th. From the right are Kim Minsu, Supreme Council member; Leader Jang; Woo Jaejun, Youth Supreme Council member; and Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council member. Photo by Yonhap News

Sosongseop: Some say Gyeonggi Province is already a slanted playing field for the People Power Party. According to today’s polls, the party’s support rate stands at 15%. Do you have a strategy to overturn this situation?

Yang Hyangja: Only Yang Hyangja can defeat Chu Mi-ae. Is a fighter or a worker the right fit for an effective local government? Gyeonggi residents no longer want political strife—they want real results. The core of Gyeonggi is clear: for key industries like semiconductors and AI, infrastructure such as transportation, power, and water, and future growth engines, residents know who has spent more than 30 years in the field—someone who has championed advanced industries not just in words but through real achievements. I have consistently presented a blueprint to make Gyeonggi the heart of the global advanced industry and have a concrete execution path. Once I become the candidate, I am confident I can quickly close the gap and completely change the dynamics of the race.

Sosongseop: Why do you characterize candidate Chu Mi-ae as a "fighter"?

Gyeonggi Residents Do Not Want to See Political Fights

Yang Hyangja: After being elected as a National Assembly member in Hanam, instead of working for Hanam’s development, she pushed through all bills as chair of the judiciary committee, claiming to have completed prosecution reform—a very dangerous approach. I advocated for a 90-day review for the Prosecutorial Reform Bill, but she rushed bills through. Residents must be worried that, without knowing provincial administration, she might just bang the gavel without understanding the issues. Gyeonggi residents no longer want to see such political fights. Having spent 40 years growing and succeeding in Gyeonggi, I want to share my experience with the next generation and guarantee their future. I am fully committed to making Gyeonggi a world-class city.

Sosongseop: There are rumors that former lawmaker Cho Eungcheon may run for governor as part of the Reform Party. What are your thoughts on potential alliances?

Yang Hyangja: I do not think it is appropriate to discuss alliances at this stage. When the general election heats up, there will be clear calls and hopes among conservative voters about what it takes to win. At that point, I will take the public sentiment seriously. Whether it’s unification or coalition, it should not be decided by a few politicians at the table, but based on voters’ will and the likelihood of victory. I will fully discuss this with our campaign committee and make the most responsible decision.

Sosongseop: So, while now is not the time to discuss it, you are saying you may consider it in the future?

Yang Hyangja: Yes, that’s correct.

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae is seen putting an election jumper on candidate Chu Mi-ae at a welcoming ceremony for Chu Mi-ae, the gubernatorial candidate of Gyeonggi Province, held before the Executive Committee meeting on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

Sosongseop: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Democratic Party candidate Chu Mi-ae?

Chu Mi-ae’s Strength Is Rallied Supporters, But She Cannot Lead the Province Without Industry Expertise

Yang Hyangja: Chu Mi-ae’s strength—and at the same time, her limitation—is her ability to rally a strong support base. She is a classic fighter politician, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But the governor of Gyeonggi is not a position for political infighting. Moreover, in a province where advanced industries are crucial, it would be very difficult for someone with no relevant knowledge to lead. She used her two years in Hanam as a stepping stone for her gubernatorial run; there is a widespread perception among residents that, if elected governor, she will use the four years as a springboard for the presidential election.

Gyeonggi is Korea’s largest metropolitan economic zone and the center of semiconductors and advanced industries. Leadership here requires an understanding of the entire industrial ecosystem, including power, water, transportation, regulatory approvals, and talent development. As we saw in the Democratic Party primary, Chu is woefully unprepared—not just unprepared, but unable to prepare—because she lacks an understanding of advanced industries. This is not simply a negative attack; it is a statement of her core nature. What Gyeonggi needs now is not a legal technician, but an expert in advanced industries. Residents will clearly judge in this contest between a legal technician and an industry expert.

I want to ensure our young people who want to achieve something are never held back by lack of capital. After studying AI and big data for ten years, I have now earned a doctorate. I can comprehensively build a platform for the province for issues like traffic congestion, job matching, and life-cycle-based childcare services—these are areas where I truly excel. I had hoped to do this at the national level, but I am excited to implement these measures in Gyeonggi. Gyeonggi will serve as the heart that makes Korea stand tall, and I will ensure that this energy flows vigorously throughout the region.

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Era of 100 Million Won Per Capita GRDP, 100,000 Jobs with 100 Million Won Salary

Sosongseop: What are some of your key campaign pledges?

Yang Hyangja: Having watched Gyeonggi for over 40 years, I have seen some cities decline and others grow. In the end, it comes down to advanced and future industries. Through the revitalization of advanced industries, I aim to raise the province’s per capita GRDP (Gross Regional Domestic Product) from the current 44 million won to 100 million won, and ensure that all 31 cities and counties have nearly equal levels—bridging the north-south gap in the process.

My goal is also to create more than 100,000 quality jobs with annual salaries of 100 million won or more. I want to transform Gyeonggi from just an administrative region into the engine of Korea’s economic growth. We must focus on nurturing strategic sectors such as semiconductors, AI, future mobility, and advanced materials. This will raise Gyeonggi’s standards by ten steps or more.

I also want to stress that, if elected, I will immediately get to work on the ground. I will meet right away with Samsung Electronics CEO Jeon Yonghyeon and SK hynix CEO Kwak Nojeong. With Samsung, I will discuss early securing of 2-nano foundry demand and customer attraction strategies; with SK hynix, I will address HBM4 mass production and the power infrastructure for the Yongin Cluster. I will be a governor who encourages companies to invest more and play a bigger role in Korea, not one who pressures them. I even think President Lee Jaemyung would choose me over Chu Mi-ae or anyone else for governor.

Sosongseop: That was Yang Hyangja, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, pledging to be a "semiconductor governor," an "AI governor," and to create 100,000 jobs. Thank you, Ms. Yang.

Yang Hyangja: Thank you.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.