Kim Cheol-hoon Unveils Vision for Yeongdo: Key Policies for Revitalizing Busan’s Marine Economy

Kim Cheol-hoon, a prospective candidate for South Korea’s Democratic Party, opened a campaign office in Yeongdo, outlined his vision for the district, and formally launched his campaign.

About 350 people attended the opening on the 14th. They included former Busan Mayor Moon Jeong-su; former National Assembly member Park Jae-ho; Ryu Young-jin, former head of South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Park Young-mi, chair of the Jung-Yeongdo district committee; former Dong District heads Choi Hyung-wook and Kim Tae-seok; as well as local city and provincial councilors, party officials, and prospective candidates.

At the event, Kim said Yeongdo embodies Busan’s maritime industry and living cultural history but faces a twin crisis of population decline and industrial stagnation. He argued that political leadership is needed to reinvigorate the district.

He laid out key pledges for Yeongdo’s development. They include revitalizing maritime and tourism industries linked to the North Port; renovating aging housing and improving living conditions; promoting youth entrepreneurship and job creation; and expanding community social infrastructure.

Kim stressed that Yeongdo should no longer be viewed merely as a residential area but repositioned as a core hub of Busan’s maritime economy. He pledged to cultivate marine tourism and cultural industries tied to the North Port redevelopment to inject new momentum into the local economy.

\”Politics ultimately changes citizens’ lives,\” he said, adding that he will work closely with residents to design Yeongdo’s future together.

Following the opening, Kim said he will tour the district, advance his policy agenda, and expand outreach to residents. He described the election as a decisive choice that will determine Yeongdo’s next decade and vowed to turn the district’s potential into concrete results.

Kim was the top vote-getter among losing candidates in the previous local election. In this contest, he is expected to face the People Power Party’s candidate, likely to be either Yeongdo District Mayor Kim Gi-jae or Busan City Council Speaker Ahn Seong-min.