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Kim Eui-seung, a mayoral candidate in the June 3 local elections, formally launched his campaign on the 21st by opening the \”Great Innovation Camp to Open Andong’s Future\” at his Ok-dong campaign office in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province.
About 1,000 members of the People Power Party, supporters and local residents packed the opening, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for Kim’s bid.
Among those offering congratulations were Kim Kyung-do, chair of the Andong City Council; current and former municipal and provincial council members; Kim Jae-won, a senior member of the People Power Party; party spokesperson Lee Chung-hyung; Yang Jae-gon, former president of the Daegu–Gyeongbuk residents association in Seoul; Kim Bong-hyun, president of the Gyeongbuk Association of Korean Medicine Doctors; Kim Gyo-hwan, president of the Andong Senior Citizens Association; Im Dae-sik, director of the Andong Cultural Center; Lee Dae-won, head of the Andong Chamber of Commerce; An Yoon-hyo, president of the Andong Sports Council; and other prominent guests from Seoul and Andong.
Confucian elders also attended, including Lee Chung-seop, former head of Andong Hyanggyo; Lee Jae-eop, president of the Gyeongbuk branch of the Sungkyunkwan Confucian Association; Kim Jong-gil of the Hakbong clan; Kwon Yong-ju, president of the Andong branch of the Confucian Association; and Han Ki-hak, president of the Andong Traditional Rites Association.
Notably, People Power Party lawmakers Na Kyung-won, Joo Ho-young and Kwon Young-jin, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, senior party official Yang Hyang-ja and Seoul City Council Chair Choi Ho-jung sent video messages praising Kim’s extensive administrative experience and congratulating him on the opening.
At the event, Kim argued that Andong needs a proven administrative expert to lead it out of its current crisis.
He pledged to leverage more than 30 years in public service—using his networks and expertise—to inject robust industrial content into Andong, a city where tradition and culture remain vibrant, and to transform it into a global tourism destination and a dynamic economic hub.
Kim said he will pursue an economic leap by providing big-data-based, tailored support for commercial districts, developing tourism products linked to traditional markets, and expanding online and tourism-related sales channels so that traditional markets revive and small-business owners prosper.
To attract young people, he pledged to connect Seoul’s research and investment with Andong’s industries through a \”Seoul Hongneung–Andong\” one-team value chain, create job structures for youth, and introduce a settlement-focused startup package that bundles support for entrepreneurship, housing and investment.
Kim added that Andong will be a better place to live when seniors are comfortable. He promised proactive services that reach seniors without requiring applications, improvements to senior centers and welfare facilities, and expanded programs tailored to older residents.
He also said Andong’s industrial and economic map will be significantly redrawn. He proposed three pillars for future industries: specializing new towns in biohealth; positioning the old city center as a content hub; and focusing towns and villages on agri-food industries—restructuring the local economy to generate future growth and jobs.
Kim said tourism in Andong will no longer be limited to day trips. He plans to develop multi-day, stay-focused tourism that links tradition, the downtown area, riverside attractions and rural experiences.
He pledged to transform Andong agriculture from an experience-based sector into one driven by technology and data, fostering on-site learning and growth so farming becomes a competitive industry.
Kim emphasized that, beginning with the campaign office opening, he will intensify field-centered policies that citizens and supporters want and work to make Andong’s revival a reality.
Yang Jae-gon, former president of the Daegu–Gyeongbuk residents association in Seoul, congratulated Kim, saying, \”I have watched Kim Eui-seung, former deputy mayor of Seoul, closely for a long time. He has impeccable character and is an administrative expert. He is warm-hearted, direct, and a master administrator recognized at the highest levels of local government. He is diligent and delivers results.\”
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