Lee Kang-deok, the Mayor of Pohang, Gyeongbuk, has announced his candidacy for the Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do in the upcoming local elections in June. In a press conference held at Gumi Convention Center, he officially declared his intentions, stating, “I aim to become the ‘second Park Chung-hee’ for the future of Gyeongbuk.”
He emphasized the need for an administrator in Gyeongbuk capable of inheriting past glories and preparing for the next 50 years. His plan includes revitalizing Gyeongbuk’s traditional industries like steel, electronics, automobile, and machinery by integrating AI and robotics, as well as sectors such as secondary batteries, semiconductors, defense, and aviation.
Lee introduced detailed strategies to establish Gyeongbuk as a hub for AI and robotics industries through the creation of four major robot belts: the Robot Manufacturing Demonstration Belt connecting Gumi, Yeongcheon, and Pohang; the Robot Agriculture Demonstration Belt in the inland and northern regions of Gyeongbuk; the Robot Tourism Demonstration Belt in Yeongcheon and Gyeongju; and the Robot Education Demonstration Belt in Gyeongsan.
Additionally, he revealed plans to reinforce the competitiveness of the current economic free zones in Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, and Pohang, while newly designating Gumi, Uiseong, Andong, and Gyeongju as economic free zones, culminating in the ‘Gyeongbuk Economic Free Special Province’ idea.
Mayor Lee aims through this industrial transformation to achieve a local income of $40,000, create 100,000 jobs, and attract 20 trillion won in investments. With a background as a graduate of the first class of the Korean National Police University, Lee has held numerous positions including Deputy Chief of Gyeongbuk Police, Blue House Security Secretary, and Head of Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan Police, as well as the Chief of the Coast Guard. He has served as Pohang’s mayor for the 7th, 8th, and 9th terms.