Hasn't lost an election: 'Most important thing is residents' self-determination' for Jeju 2nd airport

Wi Seong-gon, a seasoned politician from the Democratic Party, is making a bold bid for the Jeju governorship, aiming for his seventh electoral win. With a track record of serving three terms as a provincial assembly member and three terms as a national assembly member, Wi positions himself as a prepared candidate ready to take direct responsibility for Jeju's public welfare.

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Since my student activism days, I have always lived with one question: 'How can we make our lives better?'

During his tenure, Wi points to the installation of elevators in five-story public rental apartments as a particularly impactful achievement, a project that earned him deep gratitude from residents. However, he also expresses regret over not being able to complete his work as the chairperson of the National Assembly's Climate Crisis Special Committee, a task he intends to pursue if elected governor, focusing on carbon neutrality and energy transition.

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As a second-term provincial assembly member, I installed elevators in five-story permanent rental apartments that had none. The residents there thanked me and helped me in every election.

If elected, Wi pledges to establish a '365-day 民生 (min-saeng) Economic Situation Room' directly under the governor's office. This initiative aims to alleviate the burden of the nation's highest living costs through measures such as expanding public delivery apps, supporting logistics cost reductions, and revitalizing local currency. He also plans to foster high-quality job creation by advancing the tourism sector and nurturing industries like artificial intelligence, digital technology, and energy.

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I regret not being able to complete the institutional improvements for energy transition as the chairperson of the National Assembly's Climate Crisis Special Committee.

Regarding the controversial Jeju Second Airport project, Wi emphasizes the importance of the residents' right to self-determination. He advocates for a process of thorough information disclosure, discussion, expert review, and deliberation before any decision is made. Depending on the outcome of a referendum or public consensus, he promises to proceed responsibly with environmental protection, resident compensation, and regional cooperation, or explore alternatives like expanding the current airport in consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

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The core issue is the residents' right to self-determination. First, we will create a process of sufficient information disclosure, discussion, expert review, and deliberation. Then, we will ask for the final opinion through fair methods such as a resident referendum or public deliberation.