On May 14, as candidates for the local elections officially began their activities, Jung Cheong-rae, chairman of the Democratic Party, visited the challenging terrain of Ulleungdo in Gyeongbuk to listen to residents' concerns and lay the groundwork for electoral success.
Jung started his day at Dodong Park, followed by attending the Buk-myeon Sports Festival, visiting local shops in Jeodong and Dodong, and holding on-site discussions with community members. He was accompanied by senior party officials, including Park Gyu-hwan, a member of the Supreme Council from Gyeongbuk, Im Mi-ae, chair of the Gyeongbuk provincial party, and Jung Seong-hwan, the party's candidate for Ulleung-gun mayor.
During the discussions with Ulleung residents, Jung promised to expedite the handling of their grievances. He emphasized the importance of implementing a rural basic income, stating, "It is essential, regardless of party affiliation. As party leader, I will do everything possible to ensure Ulleung is included in the rural basic income program."
Jung also addressed concerns related to the island's unique climate, which restricts access. He noted, "The first thing I heard was that even if it hurts, we must come out on good weather days," and pledged to create measures that guarantee the constitutional right to freedom of residence and movement.
He acknowledged the need for legislative procedures to address the issues raised by residents during the meeting. Jung suggested the possibility of establishing a special autonomous district law for Ulleung, similar to the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Act, to encompass all residents' concerns. He urged the community to gather their collective opinions first.
Regarding the proposals for rural basic income and improvements to transportation conditions, Jung committed to working with relevant ministries to resolve these issues, stating, "I plan to meet with the ministers of the relevant departments soon."
Additionally, Jung commented on recent polling indicating a narrowing gap between candidates from the ruling and opposition parties, despite his party's frequent visits to Yeongnam. He remarked, "It is difficult to feel that on the ground. The response rate for polls has dropped significantly, and sampling has become challenging. I will keep a close eye on it, but regardless, I will do my best."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.