Lee Cheol-woo, the People Power Party candidate for governor of North Gyeongsang Province, unveiled a so-called "third-generation Saemaeul Movement" platform adapted for the digital age on Saemaeul Day as he maintains an assertive campaign schedule.
On April 22, Lee said, "In North Gyeongsang, where the Saemaeul Movement began, we must revive the Saemaeul spirit in a way that fits the needs of our time."
He described the movement in three phases: the first generation overcame poverty and rebuilt villages through practical, everyday innovations; the second generation shared the Saemaeul Movement and South Korea's experience with the international community; and the third generation centers on youth creativity, digital technologies, and the needs of future generations. Through a third-generation Saemaeul Movement, he argued, the region must confront contemporary challenges such as rural depopulation, youth outmigration, low birth rates, weakening community bonds, and the digital divide.
Lee said he intends to combine young people's creativity with advanced technologies to reverse regional decline and respond to the demands of the present era.
He offered modern reinterpretations of Saemaeul's core values—diligence, self-help, and cooperation.
On diligence, he said, "Diligence is not merely working longer hours. Today's diligence means learning and mastering new skills, working smarter, and having the perseverance to solve problems. Proficiency in AI, data, and digital technologies must become the new competitive advantage for future generations."
On self-help, he said, "The third-generation Saemaeul Movement should not be limited to one-off assistance. It should focus on helping communities and residents build the capacity to sustain themselves and on creating a foundation so young people can generate opportunities within their regions."
On cooperation, he said, "If cooperation once meant taking up shovels to widen village roads, today it means residents, young people, different generations, and regions coming together to find answers. We must revive both offline community life and digital networks so people can deliberate and solve problems collectively, creating a new culture of cooperative problem-solving."
To this end, Lee said he will pursue: △ expanding youth-participation regional innovation projects △ creating resident-driven digital communication platforms △ establishing AI- and data-based systems to address regional problems △ spreading locally rooted, self-sustaining economic models △ and restoring living communities where care, education, and culture are vibrant.
Lee, who has visited every city and county in North Gyeongsang except Ulleungdo, has continued to roll out major pledges since the primary and has pressed forward with a broad campaign that appears to dismiss earlier concerns about his health.
In February, Lee ran the 5 km (3.1 miles) course at the 2026 Gumi Park Chung-hee Marathon, engaging with residents during the race. In an interview with Dailian that day, he said, "Some senior officials conceal chronic illnesses, but I informed residents as soon as I noticed something wrong. I recovered last year and attended APEC in person. If I had not been well, I would not have run. I am channeling this renewed strength in service to North Gyeongsang and to South Korea."
© Dailian Co., Ltd. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited
- “Ramen and fried chicken...” Gumi’s culinary appeal is pushing it toward becoming a K-food tourism destination
- Won Tae-in bows his head: “I’m sorry to Coach Jung Soo-seong; I called to apologize personally”
- 'Solo protest in Yongsan' Park Yong-seon, Pohang mayoral candidate: “A sharp reduction in industrial electricity rates is essential”
- Choi Jeong-ho, former deputy minister of the Ministry of Land, confirmed as the Democratic Party’s Iksan mayoral candidate: “I will repay the people with a transformation of Iksan”
- Who is the right person to lead Gangjin (South Jeolla) in building an AI data center and an RE100 industrial complex?
