Lee Won-taek, the Democratic Party candidate for governor of North Jeolla Province, has intensified outreach with consecutive visits to religious leaders, labor organizations and local political figures.
At the end of last month he visited the Jeonju Diocese of the Catholic Church and the North Jeolla district of Won Buddhism. On the 4th of this month he met with Christian leaders in the province to discuss ways to strengthen community cohesion. Meetings with Buddhist leaders are also planned.
At those gatherings, he asked religious leaders to help ease local tensions and reinforce communal bonds. However, increased interaction between religious institutions and political actors has prompted concerns about preserving neutrality during the campaign.
He is also expanding engagement with labor groups. After recently meeting the Public Service Workers’ Union Federation, he is arranging talks with major unions including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU). He says he wants to collect frontline perspectives and involve labor in plans to revive the regional economy.
Plans for a 'one-team' with city and county candidates, emphasizing regional cooperation
He is accelerating efforts to build cooperative ties with candidates for city and county executive posts. The campaign plans to coordinate responses on key issues such as Saemangeum development and inland regional growth.
He also intends to continue meeting civic organizations to gather proposals for reducing local conflicts and promoting social integration.
“What North Jeolla needs most right now is to move beyond conflict and division and come together,” he said. “I will build a robust cooperative structure that brings together religious groups, labor, local politicians and civil society so we do not miss the critical window of opportunity for North Jeolla’s transformation.”
