Lee Ki-hyung, a Gyeonggi Provincial Council member from the Democratic Party of Korea, officially announced his candidacy for Gimpo mayor on June 3.
At a press conference held in the Gimpo City Council briefing room, Lee declared, "I am running for mayor to turn Gimpo's unlimited potential into reality."
"At this critical juncture requiring metropolitan transportation network construction, self-sufficient urban functions, and proper city planning, the Gimpo city administration has wasted the past four years through lack of communication, incompetence, and politically motivated decisions," Lee said. "The attempt to incorporate Gimpo into Seoul shook Gimpo's identity and divided its citizens. Gimpo's future lies within Gimpo itself, not as an appendage to Seoul."
He continued, "The pragmatic, action-oriented governance achievements demonstrated by the Lee Jae-myung administration must be realized in Gimpo as well. The final completion of a thorough reckoning with the insurrection is this local election, and Gimpo must stand at the forefront of that reckoning."
Lee unveiled a "Five-Point Vision" encompassing transportation, education, economy, living infrastructure, and welfare. The candidate plans to incorporate his experience designing and implementing basic income and local currency policies alongside President Lee Jae-myung during his tenure as Gyeonggi governor into pragmatic administration for Gimpo.
On transportation, he argued, "For the Line 5 extension issue, we must normalize consultation structures with the central government, Gyeonggi Province, Seoul, and Incheon to establish realistic alternatives from preliminary feasibility study approval through groundbreaking."
Regarding education, Lee pledged, "Resolving overcrowded classrooms protects the potential of each and every child. I will create a Gimpo that is great for raising children through expanded eco-friendly free school meals and reformed school bus services."
For economic development, Lee presented a blueprint for building Gimpo's "self-sufficient economy." He stated, "I will upgrade the industrial structure by creating an advanced industry belt connecting Compact City, Daegot Environmental Regeneration Innovation Complex, and Hagun Industrial Complex. I will make Gimpo a city where young people gather by creating quality jobs through nurturing future strategic industries such as quantum technology, AI, and semiconductors."
On living infrastructure, he emphasized, "I will pursue establishing a second city hall within Hangang 2 Compact City to improve administrative accessibility and systematically expand living, cultural, and sports infrastructure. I will enhance citizens' daily quality of life through expanded access to school gymnasiums, sports facility expansion, renovation of the Laveniche Golden Waterway, and construction of a cultural arts center."
For welfare, Lee proposed establishing mobility rights for persons with disabilities and expanding integrated care systems. "I will improve access to transportation, medical care, and culture through low-floor bus expansion, special transportation vehicle expansion, and operation of a dedicated mobility rights task force. I will establish a stable foundation for self-sufficiency through support for workplaces employing persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups," he said.
"This local election is one that determines Gimpo's direction—a starting point for change that will establish Gimpo as it should be and end the remnants of insurrection and politics of incompetence," Lee added. "I will definitely lead a great leap forward that places Gimpo at the center of change in Korea."
Gimpo City Council members Jeong Yeong-hye, Lee Hee-sung, Kim Ki-nam, and Yoo Mae-hee attended the announcement ceremony. Former Gyeonggi Provincial Council members Chae Sin-deok and Kim Cheol-hwan also participated.