Outgoing North Jeolla Governor Kim Kwan-young reflects on term, new provincial status

Kim Kwan-young, the independent candidate who sought re-election as governor of North Jeolla Province, has concluded his four-year term. The farewell ceremony, held at the provincial office, marked the end of his leadership in the 8th popular election cycle.

Reflecting on his tenure, Kim described the past four years as a period of challenges and gratitude. He stated his commitment to serving the residents, emphasizing that he "ran tirelessly with the resolve to go wherever the citizens' lives were, from the easternmost to the westernmost parts of Jeolla."

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For the past four years, it has been a time of challenge and gratitude. I ran tirelessly with the resolve to go wherever the citizens' lives were, from the easternmost to the westernmost parts of Jeolla.

Kim expressed a strong desire to elevate North Jeolla Province from its peripheral status to a central position within South Korea. He conveyed his immense pride in co-authoring a "new history" with the citizens and public officials, referring to the establishment of the "Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province." This initiative, formalized by a law amendment in January 2024, grants broader autonomy and special privileges to foster regional development.

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Jeolla must leap forward not as a periphery, but as the center of Korea. It was the greatest honor of my public service career to be able to write a new history called the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province with the citizens and public officials.

Looking back at his administration, Kim pointed to significant achievements, including attracting investments from Hyundai Motor Group and garnering interest from global entities such as Nvidia and international financial firms. He believes these efforts have laid a robust foundation for the province's growth, which is now entering a phase of yielding substantial results.

"All the achievements of the 8th popular election are the fruits that the citizens and public officials have created together," Kim stated. He concluded by affirming his enduring love for Jeolla Province, even as he steps down from the governorship.

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All the achievements of the 8th popular election are the fruits that the citizens and public officials have created together. I am stepping down as governor now, but I will never let go of my love for Jeolla.