Former Gyeongbuk Provincial Councilor Yoon Jong-do (67) has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the Cheongsong County mayoral race, kicking off his campaign in earnest.
Yoon held a press conference on February 10 at 2 PM in the small auditorium of the Cheongsong Culture and Arts Center. He declared his intention to run for mayor to safeguard Cheongsong’s future amidst the looming crisis of population decline and regional extinction. The event drew approximately 100 attendees, including journalists, supporters, and local residents.
Explaining his motivation, Yoon stated, “Cheongsong is currently grappling with structural limitations. We need to assess these challenges objectively and develop comprehensive solutions.” He emphasized that the county government’s role is to enhance local value and implement changes that residents can tangibly experience.
Yoon outlined his key campaign promises, which include: ▷ Expanding market access for Cheongsong’s agricultural and specialty products while improving distribution networks ▷ Developing immersive tourist destinations and fostering synergistic growth among local businesses ▷ Restructuring medical and caregiving services to better serve residents’ needs ▷ Boosting transparency and efficiency across all administrative functions.
Yoon asserted, “Tourism, agriculture, welfare, and administration should not operate in silos. When these sectors integrate seamlessly, Cheongsong’s competitiveness will flourish.”
When questioned about his current low approval ratings, Yoon responded, “To gain the trust of our constituents, I must evolve and present a fresh perspective. I commit to engaging directly with the community and translating their concerns into actionable policies.”
Regarding the Cheongsong Apple Festival’s location, Yoon argued that it should have remained in Songsaeng-ri. He criticized the current site at Yongjeoncheon in Cheongsong-eup for its poor accessibility to tourists and inefficiencies, citing recurring facility damage and budget overruns due to natural disasters.
Yoon also called for a thorough cost-benefit analysis of the Oxygen Cafe Cheongsong Garden, questioning whether the influx of tourists justifies the investment.
On energy policy, Yoon proposed attracting wind power facilities to areas affected by wildfires in Cheongsong-eup, Pachun-myeon, and Jinbo-myeon, pledging to channel the profits back to local residents. He added, “We’ll install solar panels on unused land to create sustainable revenue streams, transforming Cheongsong into an economically vibrant community.”
In closing, Yoon affirmed, “As someone intimately familiar with Cheongsong’s challenges, I pledge to serve our residents through concrete actions, not just words. I aim to be a mayor who transforms crises into opportunities for growth and prosperity.”
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