'Elections are competition, governance is unity — no one will be excluded for thinking differently'

'Saemangeum to anchor future industries; North Jeolla Growth Corp. to help youth put down roots'

Lee Won-taek (left), the Democratic Party of Korea's governor-elect for North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province, watches exit poll results from the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections at the Democratic Party's North Jeolla provincial office in Hyoja-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, on Wednesday. At right is Yoon Jun-byeong, chairman of the Democratic Party's North Jeolla provincial chapter. [Yonhap]
Lee Won-taek (left), the Democratic Party of Korea's governor-elect for North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province, watches exit poll results from the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections at the Democratic Party's North Jeolla provincial office in Hyoja-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, on Wednesday. At right is Yoon Jun-byeong, chairman of the Democratic Party's North Jeolla provincial chapter. [Yonhap]

Lee Won-taek, the Democratic Party of Korea's governor-elect for North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province, said Thursday that he would make residents' lives "the foremost standard" of his administration.

"Those who supported me during the campaign and those who made a different choice are all equally residents of this province," Lee said. "I will never draw lines between sides or exclude anyone."

He named the establishment of a North Jeolla Growth Corporation as his first priority, pledging to help the province's businesses grow into key players in future industries including AI, next-generation mobility and renewable energy.

Looking ahead, Lee said he hoped to be remembered not as a governor who merely professed love for North Jeolla, but as one who changed its trajectory. "I will build an administration that gives youth opportunity, gives the middle-aged a stable life, and gives the elderly a dignified retirement," he said.


bigroot@heraldcorp.com