Three People Power Party (PPP) candidates running for Gimpo city and provincial council seats simultaneously held campaign office opening ceremonies and officially launched their election campaigns. Hong Cheol-ho, former senior presidential secretary for political affairs, and Kim Byung-soo, the party's candidate for Gimpo mayor, jointly attended the events to showcase "one-team" unity, putting "generational change and on-the-ground politics" at the forefront.
According to political sources on the 11th, Park Sang-woo, a Gyeonggi provincial council candidate (4th electoral district), and Yoo Young-sook, a city council candidate (La district), each held their opening ceremonies in Unyang-dong on the 9th, while Han Jong-woo, a city council candidate (Da district), held his in Gurae-dong.
The opening ceremonies for the three candidates were jointly attended by former secretary Hong and candidate Kim, along with local figures including Kim Jong-hyuk, chairman of the Gimpo City Council; former Gimpo mayors Yoo Young-rok and Kang Kyung-gu; and Cho Han-seung, former head of the Gimpo Cultural Center.
◇ Hong Cheol-ho: "Young Blood Must Advance to Gyeonggi"… Calls for Generational Change
Hong toured the three candidates' opening ceremonies that day, emphasizing generational change and on-the-ground politics. Of 33-year-old newcomer Park Sang-woo, he said, "His father is also an excellent man, but the son seems even better. He is a candidate who perfectly fits the saying 'the student surpasses the master.'" He urged support, adding, "Two-term and three-term lawmakers are also needed, but young and prepared figures must advance to Gyeonggi Province to create a new flow for Gimpo."
Regarding Han Jong-woo, he stressed, "A city council member is someone who solves daily life problems closest to citizens," adding, "We need someone who walks the field knowing how many teeth there are in Yangchon and which elderly residents live in Beolmal." He also introduced his long-standing relationship with Han, saying, "A person who does not betray his father will not betray Gimpo either."
Of Yoo Young-sook, he said, "She is a veteran councilor who has played a role in Gimpo politics," adding, "I expect her to take on an even greater role going forward."
Kim Jong-hyuk, chairman of the Gimpo City Council, expressed support for all three candidates. He evaluated Park as "a candidate who was always sincere and polite in his attitude toward citizens and public officials while working in the mayor's secretariat," and said of Han, "As floor leader, he played a leading role in defending the party and the council amid conflicts with the Democratic Party."
◇ "More Attention Needed for Ballot Number 'Na' Yoo Young-sook"… Emphasizing Veteran's Role
Regarding Yoo in particular, he stressed, "Even in a 7-7 deadlock situation, she held the center and was a great support for Mayor Kim Byung-soo's municipal administration. She is a councilor whose role is so significant that without her in the city council, the operation of the Gimpo City Council itself could be shaken." He continued, "The 'Na' ballot candidate inevitably faces a difficult election by structure, but ultimately citizens must seek out her name and choose her directly," appealing for support and saying, "Much attention is needed so that Yoo Young-sook can continue her role in the city council."
In his remarks, Park said, "Over the past four years, as a staff member in the Gimpo mayor's secretariat, I experienced municipal affairs in the closest field and watched the process of residents' voices being turned into policy," adding, "Now I will directly secure the budget and policies needed for Gimpo's Hangang New Town at the Gyeonggi Provincial Council."
He continued, "I got married last year and am now planning to have a child soon," adding, "This election is not just politics but a desperate task of creating a home where my child will live." He emphasized, "I will make Gimpo a good city to raise children through early groundbreaking of a youth training center, expansion of education infrastructure, and creation of family cultural spaces."
◇ Han Jong-woo: "I Will Practice Politics That Does Not Betray Citizens"
Han said, "I have been asked many times why I do politics. In the past, I answered, 'To be filial to my father,' but now I would say, 'I want to do politics like my father.'" He pledged, "If I think of Gimpo as my father and do politics, I believe I can practice politics that does not betray citizens. I will become a politician who is not ashamed as a son of Gimpo."
Yoo put forward the Line 5 extension to Gimpo as her key campaign pledge. She said, "The Line 5 extension to Gimpo is a long-standing wish of citizens and one of the most important tasks to solve Gimpo's transportation problems," adding, "We must carefully ensure that the procedures from the preliminary feasibility study to groundbreaking and opening proceed without wavering."
She particularly emphasized, "What I shouted most over the past four years was Line 5," stressing, "It is important for a city council member to continuously convey citizens' voices and demand necessary policies to the end."
The three candidates commonly reinforced their unity, saying, "We will become one team with Gimpo mayoral candidate Kim Byung-soo and work hard for Gimpo's development."
