Candidates for metropolitan-level posts from South Korea’s Democratic Party in Incheon, Gyeonggi and Gangwon said they will coordinate efforts to revitalize the economy in border areas ahead of the June 3 nationwide local elections.
Woo Sang-ho, the party’s candidate for Gangwon governor, Choo Mi-ae, the candidate for Gyeonggi governor, and Park Chan-dae, the candidate for Incheon mayor, signed an agreement at the National Assembly on April 23 titled “Agreement for New Change and Coexistence in Border Areas.”
They said they will seek to rebrand the term “border areas” as a “peace zone for shared growth and prosperity,” and jointly explore institutional improvements aimed at strengthening residents’ rights and boosting local economies.
The three also agreed to cooperate on policies to expand ecological and peace tourism in the Demilitarized Zone, and to energize a consultative body of regional leaders for the peace zone to support residents’ stable livelihoods.
After the signing, Woo told reporters the phrase “border areas” was a customary label rather than a legal term. He said the candidates will take steps after the election to move away from negative images tied to security, division and isolation and toward a peace-oriented approach.
They also said they will work together to secure support from the central government. Park said, “The most important foundation of the Republic of Korea is peace,” adding he will communicate and cooperate closely with the central government. Choo said the consultative body will work with the central government and ministries to ease regulations affecting the border areas.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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