From running a study room for children in Dalseong-dong to winning the Mokpo mayoral race — Kang Seong-hwi completes a 38-year commitment to his community.
Chosen by citizens as a mayor who gets things done, Kang lays out his vision for Mokpo's future.
"I will make Mokpo run again" — Kang's first message as mayor-elect.
Democratic Party of Korea candidate Kang Seong-hwi won the Mokpo mayoral election by an overwhelming margin Thursday, claiming the city's ninth directly elected mayoral term and signaling the start of what he called a new era for Mokpo.
In his victory statement Thursday, Kang said the result was not a win for any individual candidate but "a mandate from citizens to make a stalled Mokpo run again," pledging to "complete the great transformation of Mokpo as the people's mayor."
Analysts say the victory goes beyond a simple political win, reflecting public recognition of the sincerity and competence of a local politician who has stood by the community for 38 years.
Kang settled in Mokpo in 1987 and began his civic career by running a neighborhood study room for children in Dalseong-dong. He was first elected to the Mokpo City Council at 29, went on to serve three terms on the city council and two terms on the South Jeolla Province council, and later headed the South Jeolla Province Social Services Agency — a career spanning 38 years devoted to Mokpo's development and improving residents' quality of life.
Throughout the campaign, Kang drew on his policy expertise, extensive administrative experience and field-based communication style to build voter trust. He repeatedly pledged to "prove it with results, not words" and to be "a mayor who works," presenting a future vision centered on transforming Mokpo's industry, population and finances.
The defining theme of his ninth-term administration will be the "great transformation of Mokpo."
On the industrial front, Kang plans to create quality jobs by developing a dedicated offshore wind power pier and supporting industrial complex, building a RE100 industrial zone, achieving 500 billion won in seaweed exports, attracting an international seaweed exchange, constructing an international convention center and establishing a K-maritime defense industry mega-cluster.
To reverse population decline, he envisions creating a city where young people stay and return — through a new youth affairs office, expanded youth policy budgets, a RE100 residential city initiative, broader housing support for young people and newlyweds, and recruitment of an AI and energy gifted high school.
On fiscal reform, he plans to establish a Citizens' Sovereignty Finance Committee and an open fiscal system, building a transparent budget framework in which residents participate directly.
Kang particularly highlighted "citizen sovereignty governance" as the core value of his administration.
"City hall should not be an institution that stands above citizens but one that serves them," he said. "I will open a true era of citizen sovereignty — where citizens shape policy, citizens oversee the budget and citizens evaluate city governance."
He also plans to move quickly on everyday quality-of-life measures. These include expanding the issuance of Mokpo Love gift certificates to 100 billion won (about $66 million), adding 5,000 public parking spaces and phasing in a 100-won bus fare for residents aged 75 and older — changes designed to be felt directly by citizens.
"For the past 38 years I have shared Mokpo's hopes and tears alongside its citizens," Kang said. "Now I have been entrusted with an even greater responsibility — to change the lives of citizens and the future of Mokpo as their mayor."
He added: "It is not too late for Mokpo. I will transform its industries, grow its population and reform its finances to build a city where citizens are happy. I will make Mokpo run again and build a city its citizens can be proud of."
Kang plans to activate a mayoral transition team in the coming days and announce his plans for city governance in sequence, focusing on livelihoods, the economy, fiscal affairs and organizational reform.
kkm9971@heraldcorp.com
