[Interview] Jiwon Park: "June 3 Election Is to Support President Lee Jaemyung"… Stresses 'Democratic Party One Team'

Jiwon Park: "Only Woongseop Woo of the Democratic Party Can Deliver 200,000 Won Basic Income"

"Changing the Pot While Cooking Rice Leaves It Undercooked"

Backing Myunghyun Kwan's Lead in Haenam

Pledges Full Support for Expressway Completion and the Marine Healing Center

Jiwon Park, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo, presented a roadmap for resolving key local issues and ensuring victory for Democratic candidates in an interview with The Asia Business Daily ahead of the June 3 local elections.

On the 25th, Park characterized the upcoming June 3 local elections as “a vote to support President Lee Jaemyung, who excels at governance, and to back his administration.” He emphasized that the Democratic Party must win and lead regional development as a united “one team.”

At the campaign site, Representative Jiwon Park is standing on the stage with Woo Hongseop, the candidate for Wando County Governor, cheering together. Photo by Joon Kyung Lee

Jiwon Park: "Basic Income of 200,000 won Is an Empty Promise Without Parliamentary Support"

When asked about the Wando County mayoral race, Park highlighted his strong collaboration with candidate Woongseop Woo, who is running as candidate number one. He expressed confidence, saying, “With my political expertise and Woongseop Woo’s administrative skills, we will form a perfect ‘one team’ to achieve groundbreaking progress for Wando.”

He especially criticized independent candidate Kim Shin regarding the hotly debated pledge to provide a basic income of 200,000 won per Wando resident.

Park stated, “When Woongseop Woo first announced this pledge, the independent candidate criticized it as ‘an empty shell,’ but now he has quietly copied the promise, claiming he will provide it as well. Such a massive budget for basic income cannot be secured by the county mayor alone. Only a candidate who can work closely with the National Assembly can deliver on this pledge in reality.”

He also drew a firm line regarding the possibility of Kim Shin rejoining the party after the election, saying, “Kim Shin has already left the Democratic Party four times. According to party rules, rejoining is impossible under any circumstances. Sympathy votes for a candidate who cannot secure funding will ultimately harm the local economy.”

Through the interview, Park presented measures to revitalize Wando’s local economy and promised to personally address any difficulties encountered during implementation.

He proposed: ▲Expanding transportation infrastructure by expediting completion of the Gwangju–Wando Expressway ▲Fostering the tourism industry by developing a tourism complex centered on the Wando Arboretum and the Marine Fisheries Museum ▲Attracting large-scale private investment by establishing a premium resort and a top-tier golf course comparable to Daemyung Resort.

Park also offered solutions for the “Marine Healing Center,” stating, “The Marine Healing Center is highly valued by visitors seeking healing and natural recovery, so its potential is significant.”

He further pledged, “By improving accessibility through expanded transportation networks, solving accommodation issues, and establishing an independent management system, we will ensure the center turns a profit and firmly secure jobs for its staff.” He stressed that all these key issues would be addressed in partnership with candidate Woongseop Woo.

Representative Jiwon Park is powerfully clasping the hand of Myunghyeon Kwan, a candidate for Haenam County governor, raising it high while showing a bright smile and clenching his fist toward the voters. Photo provided by the candidate's side

Myunghyun Kwan of Haenam Solidifies His Lead: "Continuity in Administration Is the Key to Major Project Success"

Regarding Myunghyun Kwan, who is running for re-election as Haenam County Governor, Park expressed unwavering trust. He praised Kwan as “one of the few highly capable administrators in Korea, having secured the highest rating for seven consecutive years in the Manifesto Pledge Implementation Assessment.”

He particularly stressed, “For major initiatives such as the Solaseado RE100 Industrial Complex and the Future Life Science Valley currently underway in Haenam to succeed, continuity in administration is crucial.” Using a pointed analogy, he added, “If you change the pot halfway through cooking rice, the rice will inevitably turn out undercooked,” urging voters to give their steadfast support.

Park reiterated the Democratic Party’s strength in securing funding. “If an independent candidate becomes county mayor, there will be no legislators to approach in the National Assembly to request funding. In contrast, if proven Democratic Party candidates are elected, the entire party leadership—including myself and Assemblyman Jeong Cheongrae—will mobilize fully to help secure regional funding,” he stated.

He concluded by saying, “If the people of this region deliver a resounding victory for the Democratic Party in this election, I will devote everything I have to bringing funding for the region from the National Assembly,” expressing his strong determination.

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