Former Gyeonggi Provincial Council member Myung Jae-sung officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Goyang Special City on Wednesday. The preliminary candidate, running under the slogan "A New Challenge Toward Goyang's Future," emphasized his policy execution capabilities built on 39 years of public service experience.
At a press conference held at the former residence of the late President Kim Dae-jung in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Myung stated, "Having served as Deokyang District chief, Ilsanseo District chief, and Gyeonggi Provincial Council member, I have experienced Goyang's transformation firsthand in both administrative and legislative settings. Now I will take on the challenge of leading the entire city's direction."
Myung presented a six-point vision to address Goyang's structural challenges: aging first-generation new town infrastructure, traffic congestion, and insufficient self-sufficiency.
The first priority is balanced urban regeneration. He plans to support increased floor area ratios for first-generation new town reconstruction and streamline administrative procedures for old downtown redevelopment. To achieve "30-minute commutes," he will expand Seoul-connected transportation networks and improve underserved transit areas within the city.
His vision includes completing a self-sufficient city through expanding the Daegok Station business district and creating a "Youth Mobile Web Complex" within Baekseok Business Building. He also plans to establish an integrated care and education system by eliminating childcare blind spots and attracting specialized high schools. He aims to develop Goyang into a cultural and recreational city by accelerating K-Culture Valley construction and pursuing designation of Lake Park as "National Urban Park No. 1." Finally, he pledged to build a comprehensive social safety net by expanding Goyang Citizen Safety Insurance.
Myung, who began his public service career as a Grade 9 civil servant, emphasized his field-oriented administrative philosophy. "Growing up in modest circumstances taught me to listen more closely to citizens' voices," he said. "I learned that administration must be proven through results, not appearances." He expressed particular commitment to improving conditions for small business owners and ordinary citizens.
Regarding his choice of President Kim Dae-jung's former residence as the announcement venue, Myung explained, "The values President Kim emphasized—a welfare state, knowledge-information powerhouse, and cultural powerhouse—remain valid and represent the direction Goyang must pursue."
Former Democratic Party of Korea leader Song Young-gil attended the event and expressed his support by placing a "blue scarf" around Myung's neck. National Assembly member Han Jun-ho also attended, stating, "I recruited him as a provincial council member after a year of persuasion. As the first Goyang city official to serve in the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, please watch his future endeavors."
Myung declared, "Goyang's transformation begins with prepared policies and execution capability. I will approach this election with fairness and responsibility to create a warm Goyang that protects each citizen's life."
Myung graduated from Korea Aerospace University with a law degree and earned a master's degree in political science from Kookmin University Graduate School of Politics. He entered public service in 1983 and served as Goyang City Planning and Coordination Office director, Deokyang District chief, and Ilsanseo District chief. Elected to the Gyeonggi Provincial Council in 2022, he held positions including special advisor to the Democratic Party chairman, vice policy committee chair, and chief political affairs secretary of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council.