Choo Mi-ae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially declared her candidacy for the governor of Gyeonggi Province on the 12th. She outlined a vision to transform Gyeonggi Province into a hub for the economic revitalization of South Korea through industrial strategies centered on semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as administrative innovation.
In her official declaration, Choo outlined four policy directions for the development of Gyeonggi Province: strong growth, fair competition, AI administrative innovation, and a warm Gyeonggi Province. She plans to foster industries such as bio, future mobility, and cultural contents alongside semiconductors and AI, aiming to make Gyeonggi Province the center of innovative industries in South Korea.
Choo also presented policies to achieve fair economy. She plans to compensate and support regions that have suffered due to regulations according to the principle of "special compensation for special sacrifices," as well as strengthen the competitiveness of small business owners and self-employed individuals through local currency and customized support policies.
In the administrative field, she will promote AI and data-based administrative innovation. By incorporating AI technology into various administrative sectors such as transportation, welfare, and disaster response, she aims to improve policy efficiency and enhance the quality of life for residents.
In the welfare sector, Choo plans to establish a comprehensive care system tailored to the different stages of life. She will set up integrated care centers in neighborhoods, expand public childcare services, strengthen youth policies, provide support for stable aging, and consider introducing a basic income policy specific to Gyeonggi Province.
In terms of transportation policy, she proposed early establishment of the Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area high-speed rail network, GTX, to improve the transportation system in the metropolitan area and connect Gyeonggi Province as a whole into one mega city living zone. She also plans to promote the creation of "15-minute living cities" where residents can access residential, medical, educational, and cultural facilities within 15 minutes.
Additionally, she will introduce a simplified "one-stop administration" system for handling complaints and implement policy measures focused on improving the quality of life, such as early screening and expanded support for hearing-impaired seniors.
Choo stated, “The center of the South Korean economy is Gyeonggi Province,” and expressed her commitment to creating a confident Gyeonggi Province where residents take pride through strong growth, establishing a fair economic order, AI administrative innovation, and warm welfare policies.