Son Hak-kyu: "I Will Create a Metropolitan Capital Region as Northeast Asia Hub"

Son Hak-kyu, a presidential contender for the Grand National Party and former Gyeonggi Province governor, said on the 22nd that "to develop Korea into a hub of Northeast Asia, I will create a 'Metropolitan Capital Region' that links Incheon to Asan Bay as a single economic special zone" and expressed his commitment to economic recovery.

Former Governor Son stated at a lecture hosted by the Korea Collaborative Enterprise Association held at the Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Comprehensive Support Center in Suwon that morning: "Each region across the country has specialized business plans. For the capital region, I plan to create a 'Metropolitan Capital Region' by linking Incheon to Asan Bay as one economic special zone."

He further explained: "I will enhance Incheon's world-class competitiveness and expand it further to Asan Bay to transform this region into a global business special zone. I will develop this region into a Northeast Asia hub to make the Republic of Korea a driving force leading the world."

Former Governor Son also stated: "I will create 2.5 million jobs over five years," adding "To achieve this, it is necessary to possess our own core technologies and create an environment where domestic investment can take place."

Regarding the current administration, he said: "There are still people who think in terms of the operational systems of the development era controlled by the state," and pointed out that "we must transition from government-led to private-led economy, and in education, we must grant schools and students autonomy to directly select their curriculum and schools."

Regarding the rail-ferry and Grand Canal projects proposed by Park Geun-hye, former Grand National Party chairman and a rival presidential contender, and Lee Myung-bak, former Seoul Mayor, he indirectly criticized them saying: "Even if it seems plausible now, it should not become something that cannot be implemented later," and "rather than immediately misleading the people, we must consider what is necessary for our country to become developed."

Son, who has been pouring criticism on the Grand National Party recently, spared no harsh words for the party on this occasion as well.

Former Governor Son said: "The Grand National Party should not be one that resolves the grievances of the past decade through a change of government," and stressed "we must not attempt to take power as a reflection of the failures of the current administration, and the Grand National Party must become one that can transcend regional divisions and ideologies to unite the people as one."