【Jinju, South】[Candidacy Announcement] Gal Sang-don Announces Re-run for Jinju Mayor… “Pushing for Relocation of 10 Public Institutions and Jinju-Sacheon Integration”

by

Editor’s Note

This article outlines the core pledges of Gal Sang-don, who has officially declared his candidacy for Mayor of Jinju in South Korea’s upcoming local elections. His platform focuses on administrative reorganization and regional development.

© 진주신문
Candidacy Announcement and Core Pledges

Gal Sang-don (62), Chairman of the Gyeongnam Jinju Gap district committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially declared his candidacy for Jinju Mayor in the June 3 local elections at a press conference held in the briefing room of Jinju City Hall on the 12th.

In his announcement, Chairman Gal presented a city reorganization plan centered on three key pillars: the additional relocation of public institutions, the integration of Jinju and Sacheon, and fostering the aerospace industry. He stated,

“I will develop Jinju into a strategic hub for the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity.”
Administrative Reform and Regional Integration

Chairman Gal first emphasized changing the administrative approach. He advocated for a crisis-response style mayor, saying,

“I will implement ‘SOS Administration’ by publicly disclosing the mayor’s mobile phone number to citizens and directly receiving urgent civil complaints, preparing solutions within three days.”

Regarding regional structural reform, he placed the integration of Jinju and Sacheon at the forefront. He stated,

“I will launch a dedicated TF (Task Force) to promote integration, set aside all vested interests, and enter negotiations. I will create the institutional foundation to elect a mayor for the integrated city by 2030.”
Industrial Strategy and Infrastructure

As an industrial strategy, he proposed fostering new growth industries centered on space, aviation, and defense, and expanding transportation infrastructure. The plan is to make Jinju a gateway city to the South Sea coast by promoting the early commencement of the Jinju-Samcheonpo Aerospace Railway, upgrading Sacheon Airport to an international airport, and building a South Coast tourism belt aligned with the opening of the Southern Inland Railway.

Industrial Complex Revitalization and Public Institution Attraction

The reorganization of aging industrial complexes was also presented as a key pledge. Chairman Gal said,

“I will structurally transform the Sangpyeong Industrial Complex into ‘Sangpyeong Techno Valley’ to attract new investing affiliates and companies, and reorganize it into a cultural industrial complex that leverages Jinju’s characteristics as a cultural city.”

He also proposed attracting public institutions.

“We will actively respond to the second relocation of public institutions promoted by the Lee Jae-myung administration and attract at least 10 institutions to Jinju. We will ensure Jinju becomes a core axis of the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity.”
Candidate Background

Chairman Gal graduated from Jinju High School and Seoul National University, and completed his master’s and doctoral courses in Political Science and Diplomacy at Korea University Graduate School. He served as Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party’s Policy Committee and as a member of the Social Responsibility System Special Committee. This is his second run for Jinju Mayor, having run in the 2018 local elections and the 2024 general election but was unsuccessful.

Full article: View original |
⏰ Published on: January 12, 2026