Pohang’s Future: Why Park Hee-jung’s Mayoral Bid is a Game Changer for South Korea’s Steel City

On June 10th, Park Hee-jung, a three-term city councilor from the Democratic Party of Korea, officially announced her candidacy for the Pohang mayoral election.

During a press conference held in the briefing room of Pohang City Hall, Councilor Park stated, “To overcome Pohang’s challenges, we need a mayor from the ruling party who can effectively collaborate with the federal government.” She expressed her ambition to “reboot” Pohang.

In her announcement, Park highlighted the decline in Pohang’s population and economic indicators. She noted, “The population has decreased from 519,000 in 2014 to 488,000 last year, and the number of workers in the steel industry has also declined. We are facing tougher times than ever before.”

Park continued, “I will transform Pohang from its steel-focused past into a diverse industrial city for the next century. I aim to create an environment where young people and women choose to stay.” She emphasized, “I won’t just make empty promises. As mayor, I will prove my effectiveness through concrete ordinances and budget allocations.”

Her key campaign promises include securing national strategic projects such as attracting the National Arctic Shipping Information Center, supporting renewable energy initiatives and carbon neutrality, and fostering the ship maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. She also proposed introducing free public transportation for youth and providing settlement packages for young adults.

In conclusion, Councilor Park urged voters, “Please make a choice for Pohang’s future that transcends regional politics.” She asserted her commitment to becoming a strong mayor who will collaboratively design and implement national policy initiatives.

A Pohang native, Park graduated from local schools including Hyoja Elementary School, Pohang Middle School, and Pohang Central High School, before earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from Dongguk University. Her political career includes three terms as a city councilor, during which she served as the chair of the self-governing administrative committee and as the regional chair for the Democratic Party in Pohang’s Nam-gu and Ulleung-gun districts.