[Local Election Interview] Kim Jin Tae Stresses "Budgets Are Earned Through Hard Work" ... Highlights "A Gangwon Native with Loyalty"

"200,000 Kilometers Driven in Four Years"
Cites "8-for-8 Winning Streak" in Major SOC Projects
Focusing on Birth and Childcare Pledges

"Over the past four years, I've driven 200,000 kilometers. That's about the same distance as circling the Earth five times."

Kim Jin Tae, the People Power Party candidate for governor of Gangwon Province, said this in an interview with The Asia Business Daily at his campaign office in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on May 20, in response to the question, "How did you usher in the era of 10 trillion won in national funding for Gangwon Province for the first time?"

Jintae Kim, the People Power Party candidate for Gangwon Province governor, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily on the 20th at the Onui-dong campaign office in Chuncheon, Gangwon. Photo provided by Kim's campaign team

Running for re-election, Kim cited one of his accomplishments over the past four years as achieving an "8-for-8 winning streak" in major social overhead capital (SOC) projects. He successfully passed preliminary feasibility studies for eight projects, including the Yeongwol-Samcheok Expressway, the Yongmun-Hongcheon Metropolitan Railway, and the Second Gyeongchun National Road. Responding to his rival, Woo Sang Ho, the Democratic Party candidate for Gangwon governor, who claims to be a "powerful ruling party candidate," Kim argued, "You don't secure budgets or projects by being close to the president or central officials; you have to work hard on the ground and persuade with logic."

He is running under the campaign slogan "A Gangwon Native with Loyalty and Perseverance." Born and educated in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Kim was elected twice as a National Assembly member representing Chuncheon. Kim stated, "Woo has served four terms as a National Assembly member in Seoul and has rarely been involved in Gangwon's local issues, so his understanding of the region is low. This became evident during debates, where it was clear that he knows little about local concerns such as Wonju Hongjedong and the funding for the new city hall."

Recognizing that regional cities face the crisis of population decline, Kim is focusing on birth and childcare policies such as expanding public postpartum care centers throughout Gangwon, supporting childcare products at half price, and establishing more Gangwon-style baby lounges. He emphasized, "Birth and childcare are directly linked to the future of Gangwon, and ultimately the future of Korea." Over the past four years, Kim has worked to make Gangwon a better place to raise children by expanding the basic childcare allowance and supporting housing loan interest for newlyweds.

If re-elected, Kim plans to prioritize the "seven future industries"—including semiconductors, bio, and hydrogen—for "uninterrupted development of Gangwon." He said, "The seven future industries are the most urgent projects to transform Gangwon's economy into a future-oriented one. If the past four years were about establishing roots, now is the time to start filling in the blueprint step by step."

Kim Jin-tae, the People Power Party candidate for governor of Gangwon Province, held the "Special TWO Votes Series Part 4 - First Ever Voting!" event yesterday at a cafe in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, meeting with third-year students from Cheorwon High School and Cheorwon Girls' High School. Provided by Kim's campaign team

The following is a Q&A with Kim Jin Tae.

- Over the past four years as governor, you have implemented numerous policies. If you had to choose one policy that best symbolizes 'Kim Jin Tae's administration' or that you are most proud to present to the residents, what would it be?

▲It's hard to pick just one among many "children." Every achievement for the residents is precious. However, if I had to name the accomplishments with the greatest impact on Gangwon, they would be: opening the era of 10 trillion won in national funding for the first time in the province's history, the "8-for-8 victories" in major SOC projects, and the successful establishment of the seven future industries.

- If you are re-elected, which policy from your previous term do you plan to prioritize for implementation?

▲The seven future industries are the most urgent for transforming Gangwon's economy into a future-oriented one. If the past four years were about establishing and taking root, now is the time to start filling in the blueprint. For example, in the semiconductor sector among the seven industries, Gangwon Province has worked hard on infrastructure investments and attraction, such as establishing a semiconductor training center and a consumables demonstration center. The special law on semiconductors, which passed the National Assembly in January, is currently undergoing enforcement decree drafting and will go into effect in August, when applications for semiconductor cluster designation will be accepted nationwide. The cluster designation requirements, which include benefits such as expedited permits and infrastructure support, are expected to specify "non-capital regions" as eligible. Gangwon has the best conditions in the country in terms of abundant water supply, geographic accessibility, and energy self-sufficiency, making it advantageous for designation. We need to actively highlight these strengths and secure national funding to realize a major transformation in Gangwon's industry through aggressive promotion.

- There are concerns about Democratic Party obstruction if you are elected. How do you plan to overcome this, and what strategies for cooperation do you have?

▲I've already demonstrated and proven through my record as an opposition-party governor that cooperation with the current government is possible. Securing 10 trillion won in national funding this year, even after the start of the Lee Jae Myung administration, should dispel any doubts about my capabilities. Of the eight SOC victories, three projects—the Yongmun-Hongcheon Metropolitan Railway, the Second Gyeongchun National Road, and the Gangneung-Samcheok Railway—were also secured under the Lee Jae Myung government. The third amendment to the Gangwon Special Act was also achieved in March after I staged a head-shaving protest in the National Assembly, fighting alongside residents against the government and the ruling party. Budgets and projects are not secured by being close to the president or central officials, but by working hard and persuading with logic. Therefore, I don't think Woo has a comparative advantage in this area.

- What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent, Woo?

▲His lifelong political career in the central government is both his strength and his weakness. Although he served four terms as a National Assembly member in Seodaemun, Seoul, he has rarely been involved in Gangwon's local issues, so his understanding of the region is low—a weakness that has become apparent. It was revealed during debates that he knows little about local matters such as Wonju Hongjedong, the funding for the new city hall, special exceptions for international schools, and remarks regarding Gangwon FC. In fact, after the debates, many people told me that Woo does not understand Gangwon. I particularly feel that his insight into the content, direction, and application of the Gangwon Special Act is quite limited.

In addition, Woo has been seen on the campaign trail wearing a suit rather than a campaign jumper, which gives the impression that he is overconfident about his election. It's hard to see this as an attitude of serving the residents with humility.

- What is your reason for focusing on birth and childcare pledges such as expanding public postpartum care centers throughout Gangwon, supporting childcare products at half price, and establishing more Gangwon-style baby lounges?

▲There is a saying in Anglo-American politics: "A politician thinks about the next election; a statesman thinks about the next generation." Birth and childcare are directly linked to the future of Gangwon, and ultimately the future of Korea. In our society, the most vulnerable but also the most precious and protected beings are fetuses and infants. Of course, politics should focus on these issues.

Kim Jin-tae, the People's Power candidate for governor of Gangwon Province, rode a zipline cutting through the sky over Naerimcheon in Inje, Gangwon Province, on the 17th as part of the voting encouragement campaign "Special TWOvote Part 1." Photo provided by Kim's campaign team

- You are running unique "TWO Vote" campaigns, such as doing 23 pull-ups and riding a zipline. What is the reason for these campaigns?

▲I understand that, given the current situation of our party, even some conservative supporters are saying, "I won't vote." However, for the future of Korea and the development of Gangwon, I believe every vote from every resident—not just conservatives—is essential. The message I want to convey through these campaigns is "action" and "challenge." The aspirations of residents who want Gangwon to develop and leap forward should be expressed by taking action and going to the polls. Riding the zipline and attempting pull-ups were intended to show the residents my spirit of boldly taking on challenges for Gangwon's future. Just as I took bold actions, I want to encourage residents to go to the polls and choose the future of Gangwon. A voting action with resolve will protect Gangwon's pride.

- It is no exaggeration to say that the outcome of this election will depend on how much support you gain from centrist voters. What do you think is your appeal to the centrist electorate?

▲It's not easy for an incumbent governor to achieve an approval rating above 50%. However, in a job performance evaluation of metropolitan government heads earlier this year, I ranked third nationwide with a "positive rating of 52.1%." In another survey, I ranked third nationwide for having a higher support base for the governor compared to party support. These indicators show that tangible outcomes such as the launch of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and the attraction of high-tech industry investments are resonating with residents across political lines. Not only have I already achieved results, but unlike Woo, I was born and raised in Gangwon, spent my school years here, and have spent my entire public service and political career in the province. I believe the sincerity of Kim Jin Tae, a true local with loyalty and perseverance, will also appeal to centrist residents.

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