2026 Daegu Mayoral Race: Why Choo Kyung-ho is the Key to Economic Revival

Kim Byeong-jin | 2026.05.04

[Herald Economy (Daegu) = Reporter Kim Byung-jin] On the afternoon of the 3rd, People Power Party mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho opened his campaign office at the Beomeo intersection in Suseong District, Daegu, ringing a "victory gong" brought from Lee Cheol-woo’s North Gyeongsang gubernatorial campaign as he stood with broad support from the conservative bloc.Thousands attended the opening, including People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk; gubernatorial candidate Lee Cheol-woo; honorary campaign chair Kim Moon-soo; fundraising chair Moon Hee-gap; and about 50 current and former members of the National Assembly, along with many supporters.Former President Lee Myung-bak sent a video message saying, "Daegu needs an economic mayor, not a political one," and called Choo the right person to lead the city's economy. In his remarks, Kim Moon-soo added, "Only Choo Kyung-ho can revive Daegu’s economy and create jobs," urging the city to unite.Lee Cheol-woo said, "Just as Daegu and North Gyeongsang protected the country during the Korean War, we must now defend Korea’s liberal democracy," and called on the region to take the lead in consolidating conservative forces.Jang Dong-hyuk apologized for the hurt and concern caused to Daegu citizens during the nomination process, took responsibility as party leader, and thanked Vice Chairman Joo Ho-young and former Chair Lee Jin-suk for accepting the party’s decision and their dedication.Lee In-seon, head of the Daegu city party, called Choo "a candidate who works by the numbers and delivers results" and pledged that all Daegu lawmakers will spare no effort to secure his victory.Choo presented four major economic pledges: transform Daegu into a hub for advanced industries such as AI, robotics, future mobility, biotech and semiconductors; launch a youth reshoring project that supports everything from jobs to housing; build a "national flagship startup city" by creating a 1 trillion KRW (750 million USD) startup growth fund; and create a mayor-led investment team to attract major domestic and international companies.In closing, Choo said he would channel the energy in the room into Daegu’s development and "remake the Daegu economy to turn the city into a magnet for money and people."
Kim Byeong-jin

Kim Byeong-jin

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