Kim Se-hoon, the head of Hwacheon County in Gangwon Province, received the top award in the election publicity category at the 2026 Manifesto Awards for his commitment to enhancing residents' income. This recognition highlights the clarity and execution plans of his promises made during his term.
According to Hwacheon County, the Korea Manifesto Practice Headquarters held an award ceremony on August 24 at the Ferum Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul, where Kim was represented by Deputy County Head Ahn Jung-ki, who accepted the award.
The evaluation was based on election publicity and promise materials released during the June 3 local elections. Seven criteria were assessed, including clarity of goals, prioritization, implementation procedures, timelines, funding strategies, philosophy and vision, and the democratic process of drafting.
Kim's election publicity received high scores in these areas, particularly for clearly stating the enhancement of residents' income as the top priority of his administration and detailing the policy measures and directions to achieve this goal.
During the election, Kim promised to expand agricultural budgets, strengthen agricultural product distribution and marketing, and cultivate competitive crops, drawing from his experience as a farmer after retiring from public office.
The promise-making process incorporated local opinions. Throughout the campaign, he gathered feedback from farmers, small business owners, youth, people with disabilities, military personnel and their families, and social organizations, which were then reflected in his policies.
Afterward, the plans underwent expert verification to clarify feasibility and funding strategies. Since taking office, Kim has focused on translating these promises into actual governance. His transition committee has worked to ensure that the election promises are not merely handed over to the administration but are developed into specific execution plans through prior consultations with various county departments.
This approach is seen as a way to reflect the administration's income-centered policy in individual projects. The structure prioritizes promises that lead to increased income for residents across various sectors, including agriculture, distribution, marketing, tourism, and the local economy.
This award signifies the concrete nature of the goals, design, and execution plans of these promises. However, the actual impact of these commitments will be evaluated based on how well the planned projects translate into increased income for residents.
Kim Se-hoon stated, “The promises of the 9th term of Hwacheon County started from the voices of the residents and were created through verification by experts and administration. I will concentrate the county's efforts on enhancing residents' income, our top priority promise.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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