“Chungcheong’s interests are my camp”… Kim Tae-heum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, declares candidacy for re-election [June 3 Choice]

Emphasis on breaking away from camp politics, “We do not discriminate between left and right, progressive and conservative”
“We will complete the great Chungcheongnam-do,” touting the results of 12 trillion won in national funds and 50 trillion won in investment attraction.
He likened himself to ‘Chungcheong’s seed potato’ and asked for him to be promoted as a representative Chungcheong politician to succeed JP.

“I will not discriminate whether left or right, progressive or conservative. The only interest of Chungcheong is that of Kim Tae-heum. No matter how hungry a farmer is, he leaves a piece of potato uneaten for next year’s crop. I, Kim Tae-heum, will become the seed potato of Chungcheong.”

Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party’s candidate for governor of South Chungcheong Province, officially declared his bid for re-election on the 8th and brought to the fore the “interests of Chungcheong that go beyond the camp” and the “seed potato theory for the future of Chungcheong.” Through his declaration of candidacy, he sent a message that he was not simply running for re-election, but would re-establish the political centrality of Chungcheong and the axis of balance in the Republic of Korea.

At a press conference announcing his candidacy held at the briefing room of the South Chungcheong Provincial Office on this day, Candidate Kim said, “South Chungcheong Province is no longer a periphery of the metropolitan area, but must become the central axis that leads the growth of the Republic of Korea,” and “I will create a great Chungcheongnam-do.”

In particular, he directly criticized ideology and camp logic, saying, “I will not discriminate between left or right, progressive or conservative,” and emphasized, “Chungcheong’s interests are Kim Tae-heum’s camp.” Even though he is a conservative party candidate, he declared ‘Chungcheong-first politics’ that puts regional interests and practicality first. It is interpreted as an expression of the priority of Chungcheong interests, which is in line with President Lee Jae-myung’s pragmatic diplomacy that prioritizes national interests. While serving as provincial governor, Candidate Kim often voiced sharp criticism toward the Democratic Party, but with regard to President Lee Jae-myung, he also expressed his opinion that the direction suggested by the president in terms of administrative integration, finances, and transfer of authority was desirable.

Candidate Kim then compared himself to ‘Chungcheong’s seed potatoes’ and said, “Just as a farmer saves his last potatoes for next year’s crop, I will protect the spirit and future of Chungcheong even in any crisis.” This is interpreted as meaning that they will play a role in protecting Chungcheong’s long-term growth engine rather than engaging in a political war of attrition.

Candidate Kim defined this election as “an election where the fate of the Republic of Korea depends” rather than a simple local election. He also raised the theory of checks on the ruling party, saying, “If even the last remaining local powers are taken over, the Republic of Korea could lose checks and balances and fall into the swamp of a one-party dictatorship.”

At the same time, he focused on the achievements of the 8th popularly elected provincial government. Candidate Kim emphasized, “We raised the national budget from 8 trillion won at the time of inauguration to 12 trillion won, and corporate investment attraction was more than tripled from 14 trillion won in the 7th popular election to 50 trillion won.” He also said, “We have created a roadmap that is proven by the results by receiving the highest (SA) rating in the manifesto pledge implementation evaluation for four consecutive years.”

Candidate Kim presented the following as the core vision for the 9th popular election: construction of Dome Arena in Cheonan and Asan, great transformation of AI, △ Chungnam-style basic welfare, △ profitable smart agriculture, △ Bay Valley Mega City, △ K-Culture Flourishing City, and △ administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam.

Pledges by region were also released. The plan is to develop Cheonan and Asan into ‘AI and digital capitals’, Dangjin, Seosan and Taean as ‘automotive export and air mobility industry bases’, Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang as ‘Baekje cultural prosperity zones’, Nonsan, Gyeryong and Geumsan as ‘defense capitals’, Boryeong and Seocheon as ‘international marine leisure tourism belts’, and Hongseong and Yesan as ‘Chungnam future administrative centers’.

Candidate Kim emphasized, “Politics is about results, not words, and vision must become reality, not slogans,” and “If we have drawn the blueprint for a powerful South Chungcheong Province over the past four years, now is the time to complete a great Chungcheong Province.” He then appealed for support, saying, “Please use Kim Tae-heum bigger and make him stronger,” and “I will definitely prove it with results.”

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