[The Public=Oh Du-hwan] Kang Beom-seok, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Incheon’s Seo District, opened his campaign office and formally launched his bid for re-election. “Administration is not a rehearsal,” Kang said, warning that experimenting with a leadership change at a critical turning point for Seo District could create confusion.
Kang held the opening on the 14th at his campaign office in Gajeong 1-dong, Seo District, Incheon. About 1,000 local residents and supporters attended. Supporters filled the campaign office inside and out well before the ceremony began, with attendees ranging from young adults to middle-aged and senior citizens.
People Power Party figures at the event included Incheon mayoral candidate Yoo Jeong-bok, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, former Rep. Hong Il-pyo, former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, and Park Se-hoon, candidate for Geomdan District mayor. Local organization leaders also attended, including Jo Jae-gil, head of the Korea Senior Citizens Association’s Incheon Seo District chapter; Hong Seung-jo, president of Seo District veterans’ groups; and Kim Yong-sik, chairman of the Seo District Development Council.
In his kickoff address, Kang emphasized his administrative experience and the need for continuity. “Administration is not a place to practice; it is a role of great responsibility that must produce immediate results,” he said. He added that Seo District faces a major administrative reorganization and that changing leaders now could risk creating disorder.
Kang framed himself as a proven public servant. “The person who knows the field best must see it through,” he said, vowing, “With the mindset of not switching horses midstream, I will complete the key projects we have been pursuing without disruption.”
He outlined plans to develop both the new town and the traditional downtown. Kang pledged to complete the new town’s infrastructure and to make the old downtown a better place to live while preserving its character. He promised to win the June 3 local election and to demonstrate, through results, a higher standard for Seo District.
In a show of support, Yoo Jeong-bok urged voters to back Kang. “Seo District has achieved remarkable progress while Kang has served as mayor,” Yoo said, citing the recently opened Cheongra Sky Bridge, the planned Starfield Cheongra development, and the Seoul–Cheongra Asan Hospital. “We must not halt or roll back what has been accomplished,” he added.
Yoo also appealed to voters to judge candidates by their qualifications rather than party affiliation. “Elections choose public servants who will work for the community,” he said. He pledged to form a unified team with Kang to protect local autonomy and complete the development of Seo District.
Young supporters also spoke. Kim Su-jin, head of the campaign’s youth committee, said, “Young people want doers, not talkers; they want results rather than show.” She added, “Young voters in their 20s and 30s will stand with Kang Beom-seok.”
The opening highlighted Kang’s record as the incumbent and his emphasis on continuity in addressing local issues. His campaign has identified administrative reform, expanding new-town infrastructure, and redeveloping the old downtown as core priorities. Kang urged supporters to rally behind him, saying, “I will move forward boldly and without pause.”
