Former Yeongdeok County Governor Lee Hee-jin and preliminary candidate Cho Joo-hong agreed on April 16 to unify their candidacies under Cho, officially announcing the decision.
The two sides released a joint statement at 6:30 p.m. that day at Cho’s campaign office in the presence of supporters, stating that they would end division and join forces to bring change to Yeongdeok.
The unification is seen as a move to streamline the local race and strengthen competitiveness in the main election, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the electoral landscape.
Lee said, “Now is the time to put Yeongdeok first,” adding, “In a critical situation, it is more important to create change through unity than to miss opportunities due to conflict.” He continued, “I decided that Cho Joo-hong should take the lead in changing Yeongdeok,” emphasizing that “this decision is not about individuals but about the future of Yeongdeok.”
Cho expressed his gratitude, saying, “I deeply appreciate Lee Hee-jin’s courageous decision,” and added, “Today’s unification is not the end, but the starting point for changing Yeongdeok.” He also said, “We will prove it with results as one team,” pledging to end division and bring tangible improvements to residents’ lives.
In their joint statement, the two sides presented three key reform tasks for future county administration: transitioning to a “sales-oriented administration,” establishing a fair personnel system, and strengthening budget transparency and oversight.
Cho emphasized, “The county governor should not remain limited to managing local affairs,” adding that he would shift to a “sales-oriented administration” that persuades the central government and the National Assembly while attracting businesses and investment from outside to secure budgets and jobs.
He also said, “The public sector must move away from favoritism and toward a system where performance is what matters,” promising to build a fair personnel system where diligent employees are properly recognized.
Regarding budget operations, he explained, “We will ensure that residents can easily access information on budget execution and establish an oversight system involving residents, the county council, and external experts to enhance transparency and fairness.”
The two sides also stated that they would actively pursue large-scale national projects through broader regional strategies linked with neighboring areas such as Uljin, Pohang, and Cheongsong, aiming to expand Yeongdeok’s scale and competitiveness.
They concluded, “This unification is not merely a political agreement but a choice to end division and unite our strength,” adding, “With Cho Joo-hong leading and Lee Hee-jin working alongside him as one team, we will 반드시 bring change to Yeongdeok.”
