On the 9th, Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party’s candidate for governor of South Chungcheong Province, opened his campaign office, The Stronger Chungnam Camp, in Cheonan and officially kicked off his campaign for the June 3 local elections.
The opening was more than a ribbon-cutting. Kim used the event to present his vision for the ninth elected administration—\"Great Chungnam\"—built on the achievements of the eighth term.
The venue drew about 3,000 people, including People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok; National Assembly members Seong Il-jong and Na Kyung-won; Kang Seung-gyu, head of the Chungnam party committee; Shim Dae-pyeong, the campaign’s honorary chair; Park Chan-woo, the party’s Cheonan mayoral candidate; candidates for mayor and county chief across 15 cities and counties in the province; local assembly candidates; party members; and supporters, all showing strong backing.
Supporters branded Kim \"the candidate who will get Chungnam moving again\" and praised him as a \"governor proven by results,\" filling the hall with determination to win the local elections.
Shim Dae-pyeong, the campaign’s honorary chair, said in his congratulatory remarks that \"Chungnam is at the heart of South Korea,\" and argued that it's time for the people of Chungcheong to help drive the country forward, with Kim Tae-heum at the center of that effort.
He added that Kim is a prepared leader who will take responsibility for Chungnam’s future and lead efforts to build a Korea where children do not have to suffer.
Jang Dong-hyeok similarly praised Chungcheong as a region defined by loyalty, dignity and pride, and said Chungnam needs a strong, capable leader to drive development.
He urged, \"Let’s create a Chungcheong miracle with Kim Tae-heum and write a new chapter that changes Korea’s future.\"
Kim Tae-heum used his opening remarks to detail his administration’s accomplishments over the past four years and asserted, \"Chungnam has risen to lead local governments across South Korea.\"
He said that central government funding rose from about 8 trillion KRW (approximately 6 billion USD) to 12 trillion KRW (approximately 9 billion USD), and that corporate investment attraction grew from 14 trillion KRW (approximately 10.5 billion USD) to 49 trillion KRW (approximately 36.75 billion USD), more than tripling. \"I deliver results rather than promises,\" he said.
He also noted that the province received the highest grade (SA) in the manifesto pledge implementation evaluation for four consecutive years, saying that reflected keeping promises to residents, and pledged to accelerate Chungnam’s development.
Kim then presented \"Great Chungnam\" as the central vision for the ninth elected administration.
\"I will not be trapped by partisan thinking; I will focus solely on residents and Chungcheong’s future,\" he said. \"Without hesitation, I will build a bigger, stronger Chungnam.\"
He pledged, \"In this local election, I will be the shield and support that protects Chungnam. As one team with the 15 mayor and county candidates and local assembly candidates, we will defend Chungnam.\"
Following the opening, Kim plans to continue his campaign with a policy launch press conference, policy agreement ceremonies, and a province-wide tour focused on everyday issues, marking the start of his full election schedule.
