Wi Sung-gon, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Jeju governor, smiles with a flower garland around his neck after his election victory was confirmed Wednesday afternoon. [Yonhap]
Wi Sung-gon, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Jeju governor, smiles with a flower garland around his neck after his election victory was confirmed Wednesday afternoon. [Yonhap]

Wi Sung-gon, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate who won the Jeju gubernatorial election, said Thursday he would be a "people's livelihood governor" who puts residents' lives first.

Asked about his top priority, Wi said resolving long-running disputes — including those surrounding the construction of a second airport — would be his central task. "There has been prolonged conflict over the second airport, and addressing that conflict, along with various other disputes, is the challenge ahead," he said.

On the reasons for his victory, Wi said he believed voters had weighed whether he had the ability to turn his vision for Jeju's future into reality. "I think Jeju residents expected that, having served three terms as a provincial assembly member and three terms as a National Assembly member, I know the ground better than anyone, and that I would be able to resolve various issues through my network in central politics," he said.


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