Democratic Party candidate vows to make Incheon a leading city

As the Hankyoreh, we report on the critical juncture facing Incheon. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Chan-dae has thrown his hat into the ring for the mayoral race, not just with promises, but with a bold vision to elevate Incheon from a stagnant city to the heart of a 'G3 Korea.' His declaration at Incheon City Hall plaza was a powerful statement, emphasizing that the city stands at a 'golden time' to redefine its future.

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Incheon will be transformed into a city that leads South Korea.

Park's platform centers on an ambitious '100-day emergency livelihood recovery project,' with a significant focus on expanding the local currency, Incheon e-Local currency. This initiative aims to directly benefit citizens by increasing payment limits and cashback rewards, even extending to fuel costs, and bolstering support for new mothers and youth. The 'ABC+E' vision—Artificial Intelligence, Bio, Culture, and Energy—further outlines his strategy to create high-paying jobs and enrich the lives of Incheon residents, positioning the city as a 'Mecca' for lucrative employment.

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Incheon stands at a golden time, whether it remains a city where growth has stopped or becomes the heart of 'G3 Korea' leading the nation to become one of the world's top three powers.

Critically, Park did not shy away from critiquing the incumbent administration. He pointed to a stark decline in economic growth rates under Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, contrasting it with the previous administration and highlighting the underperformance of key projects like 'Jemulpo Renaissance' and 'New Hong Kong City.' His remarks, "More announcements than execution, more studies than action," and the poignant comparison to Seoul's progress, underscore a deep dissatisfaction with the current leadership's ability to deliver tangible results for Incheon.

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We will expand Incheon e-Local currency. We will increase the payment limit and strengthen the cashback. We will lower living costs by including fuel costs, which are a significant burden for low-income households.

This election is a pivotal moment for Incheon. While Western media might focus on the political maneuvering, from our perspective in Korea, this is about the fundamental economic and social trajectory of a major metropolitan area. Park's candidacy represents a decisive push for change, challenging the status quo and offering a concrete plan to revitalize the city and its economy. The contrast with the incumbent's perceived lack of progress is stark, and the voters of Incheon will undoubtedly weigh these competing visions heavily.

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The economic growth rate, which was 6.8% during the Park Nam-chun administration, fell to 6.0% and then 3.1%, and the provisional figure for 2025 is plummeting to minus 0.5%, a dismal level of 11th in the nation.