Kim Jin-tae, who was confirmed as the People Power Party's candidate for Gangwon Province governor, said he will "complete the seven future industries to build a Gangwon Province that residents do not want to leave." His vision is to build on the industrial ecosystem established over the past four years to stem the outflow of young people and even attract residents from the Seoul metropolitan area, opening a "Metropolitan Gangwon Era."
In an interview with Seoul Economic Daily on the 4th, Governor Kim expressed confidence that "an era will come when Gangwon Province also becomes part of the metropolitan area, and people from the capital region come to live in Gangwon — the 'Metropolitan Gangwon Era.'"
His strategy is to expand the share of "advanced manufacturing" — including semiconductors, biotechnology, future mobility, hydrogen, climate tech, food tech, and the defense industry — to create quality jobs and prevent the outflow of young people. "Over the past four years, we have attracted 1.8644 trillion won ($1.4 billion) in investment from 56 companies and achieved 2,938 new hires," he explained. "Of this, future industry sectors account for 58.9% of the total." He also unveiled a blueprint to cultivate "stay-and-experience" tourism as another growth axis for Gangwon Province.
— What is your plan to prevent population outflow?
△ The fundamental solution is to create quality jobs by attracting businesses. The most important thing is to ensure that young people raised in Gangwon Province do not leave for the metropolitan area in search of jobs. We will compete with advanced industries, not smokestack industries that emit fumes. Many people are skeptical, asking, "What advanced industries are there in Gangwon Province?" However, through 120 projects across the seven future industries, the "Gangwon Province that used to sell potatoes" is already growing into a mecca of advanced industries.
— Besides advanced industries, what competitiveness do you plan to cultivate?
△ Tourism is also very important. We will upgrade Gangwon Province's tourism industry into a stay-and-experience model. I have been conducting a "Village Hall Diary" program, spending a night at village halls to listen to voices on the ground. When visiting each region, there are many opinions that revenue-generating businesses such as leisure and fishing village tourism should be interconnected, in line with the provincial government's vision. We will organically connect Gangwon Province's tourism infrastructure to achieve a major transformation and revitalize the regional economy.
— If elected, what will your second-term provincial administration look like?
△ If the past four years were a time to lay the groundwork for Gangwon Province's future industries, the next four years will be a time to make tangible changes in the lives of each and every resident. We will focus on building a customized care system tailored to each life stage. We will pursue a life-oriented provincial administration in which Gangwon Province takes responsibility for childbirth, childcare, education, and old age.
— Candidate Woo Sang-ho criticizes the current provincial administration for failing to secure social overhead capital (SOC) and budget.
△ It's spitting in his own face. Gangwon Province, which stagnated and regressed during the Democratic Party's "lost 12 years" of provincial administration, has clearly changed over the past four years. We passed preliminary feasibility studies for all major SOC projects, including the Yeongwol-Samcheok Expressway, recording "eight wins in eight attempts." This compares with just one preliminary feasibility study passed during the previous provincial administration's four years. On the budget front, we opened an era of 10 trillion won in state funding for the first time ever. This was the result of running back and forth between Sejong and the National Assembly together with provincial government officials.
— You are facing the election at a time when the president's approval rating is high. What is your election strategy?
△ Former Governors Choi Moon-soon and Lee Kwang-jae were also elected while their party was in opposition. In the end, Gangwon Province residents will evaluate the candidates based on who can do a better job. Gangwon Province needs a strong governor who can scratch where it itches for the residents. Administration is proven by competence, not by political logic.
