"The Daegu mayoral election ultimately comes down to who can revive the Daegu economy. From day one, I will be a 'professional economic mayor' who works efficiently," said Choo Kyung-ho, the candidate for mayor from the People Power Party, during an interview with Aju Economy at his campaign office in Daegu's Suseong District.
Choo emphasized that "Daegu cannot simply improve slightly," stating that a "complete overhaul of the Daegu economy" is necessary. He aims to create a city that attracts money and talent, proposing AI, robotics, future mobility, biotechnology, and semiconductors as the five key future industries for Daegu.
Choo, a former economic bureaucrat, has held positions including First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and Minister of Economy and Finance. He has also served as a member of the National Assembly representing Daegu's Dalseong District.
The current state of Daegu's economy is challenging. According to the first quarterly real Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) statistics released by the National Data Agency, Daegu's economy shrank by 3.9% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, the largest decline among all cities and provinces in the country. In the second quarter, Daegu's GRDP also fell by 3.2% year-on-year, contrasting with the 1.9% growth recorded in Gyeongbuk, which ranked third in national growth rates. This highlights the dual challenges of low growth and delayed industrial restructuring facing Daegu's economy.
Choo attributed these issues to a failure to adequately respond to changes in industrial structure. He noted, "In the past, Daegu was a city that led South Korea's industrialization centered on textiles and manufacturing. However, as the industrial paradigm shifts toward AI, semiconductors, and digital technologies, we have not secured sufficient new growth engines." He added that the structure in which businesses, talent, and capital are drawn to the capital region has also stifled Daegu's economy.
Choo outlined four key initiatives:
- Industrial Structure Innovation: He plans to foster advanced industries such as AI, robotics, future mobility, biotechnology, and semiconductors while enhancing the competitiveness of existing industries like machinery and textiles through smart technology and value addition. He also aims to focus on service industries favored by young people, including healthcare, culture, tourism, gaming, and content.
- Creating a Startup City: Choo intends to establish a "three major deep-tech startup belt" connecting Suseong Alpha City, Shinseo Innovation City, and Technopolis. He also plans to create a 1 trillion won startup fund to nurture unicorn companies.
- Attracting Large Corporations for Quality Job Creation: Choo stated, "I will promote Daegu as the second semiconductor industrial cluster following Yongin," aiming to attract companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, and data centers to create a structure that prevents youth from leaving the city. He emphasized that the lack of good jobs is a common concern among Daegu citizens, stating, "To tell young people to come back, we must first create jobs worth returning to."
- Building a Super-Regional Economic Zone Centered on the New TK Airport: Choo plans to promote the new airport as a national industry and integrate the regional transportation network and administrative systems of Daegu and Gyeongbuk to develop them into a single economic zone. He remarked, "The airport is not just a transportation facility; it is an economic infrastructure that transforms logistics, industry, tourism, and housing," adding that to overcome the limitations of being an inland city, Daegu must redraw its industrial map centered around the new airport.
Regarding his differences with rival candidate Kim Boo-kyum, Choo stated, "Anyone can make promises. What matters is whether they can actually execute them." He highlighted his experience in emergency economic meetings, drafting supplementary budgets for people's livelihoods, attracting investments, and establishing structures like the AX Committee and Daegu-style contract departments as evidence of his leadership and execution capabilities.
The upcoming Daegu mayoral election is being viewed as a competitive race, contrasting with the city's traditional conservative stronghold. Choo acknowledged, "I take seriously that citizens are disappointed and worried about the political arena." He noted, "The era when a specific party automatically receives votes is over. Citizens are now looking more critically at 'who can save Daegu' and 'who can deliver results.'"
When asked about his relationship with the Lee Jae-myung government and ruling party, Choo stated, "I do not intend to be a mayor who confronts the central government simply because we belong to different parties." He emphasized that the mayor of Daegu is an administrator responsible for the lives of citizens, stating, "We cannot abandon Daegu's projects just because the administration is different, nor can we simply ask for favors without a solid plan."
Choo highlighted his 35 years of bureaucratic experience and his role as a former Deputy Prime Minister as his strengths. He stated, "Budgets do not come simply by asking for them. They require precise project design, feasibility, and budget strategy." He added, "I know what needs to be prepared in which department and where bottlenecks occur," and expressed his intention to leverage his central government experience and network to enhance Daegu's negotiating power.
Choo also mentioned his proposal for a "joint council for the development of Daegu's economy" to Kim. He stated, "Issues like the TK New Airport and the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk should be pursued beyond party lines," asserting that party affiliation is less important than the interests of Daegu. He pledged to cooperate where possible and to demand what is necessary firmly.
Finally, when asked what message he would like to convey to citizens who have not yet decided on a candidate, Choo said, "I deeply understand the urgency and frustration of citizens regarding Daegu's economic difficulties." He emphasized, "However, despair alone will not change anything. The most important thing now is to regain confidence that we can succeed."
Choo concluded, "I, Choo Kyung-ho, who truly understands the economy, will definitely revive Daegu's economy. The achievements I made in attracting businesses and creating jobs in Dalseong will now be expanded throughout Daegu." He assured, "I will restore Daegu's pride and confidence."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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