"The mayor Suncheon needs right now, a mayor who proves with results — that is me, Noh Kwan-kyu."
This declaration rang out Tuesday morning at Ocheon Green Plaza, a symbolic landmark of Suncheon.
Noh Kwan-kyu, a preliminary candidate, officially declared his bid for mayor of Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, in the June 3 local elections, pledging to "complete the transformation of Suncheon that has been built over the past four years."
The incumbent mayor, who registered as an independent preliminary candidate the same day, said, "The more uncertain the times, the more we need leaders who prove themselves with results rather than words." He added, "I have already proven it through the achievements of the past four years, and I will take responsibility to the end for completing that work."
Noh said the citizens' choice four years ago was "a solemn mandate to work solely for the future of Suncheon without looking to political parties or the political establishment." He added, "To repay the citizens' trust, I have run without rest until now, pouring my soul into the work."
Reflecting on his achievements, Noh said, "Through the success of the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo, we have leapt forward as a world-class garden city representing Korea." He emphasized, "Through spatial innovation across the city, including Nammunteo Plaza, Ocheon Green Plaza, and Sindaecheon, citizens' daily lives have been dramatically transformed."
Noh's record as the eighth popularly elected mayor is substantial.
His administration is credited with driving dramatic change toward Suncheon's future through achievements that surpassed his own campaign pledges, including attracting major corporations such as Hanwha Aerospace (012450.KS) and POSCO Lithium Solution, as well as securing a Costco outlet — long desired by Suncheon residents — and a semiconductor industrial complex.
Noh presented "five economic pillars" as the future strategy for Suncheon under the ninth popularly elected administration.
"We have been building five economic pillars that are transforming the entire industrial structure, including green bio, cultural content, aerospace and defense, healing industries, and an RE100 semiconductor national industrial complex," he said. "Now, on this foundation, I will complete Suncheon's future."
Meanwhile, the Suncheon mayoral race is shaping up as a three-way contest. Alongside independent candidate Noh Kwan-kyu, Son Hoon-mo was selected as the Democratic Party candidate through a primary, though the party's central headquarters is conducting an investigation into allegations including improper receipt of money. Lee Seong-su of the Progressive Party has also entered the race.
