Paldal, a Cultural City Where Past and Future Coexist

Lee Wan-mo, the Democratic Party preliminary candidate for Suwon City District 5 (Haenggung-dong, Uman 1,2-dong, Ji-dong, Haenggung-dong) of the Gyeonggi Province Council, faced defeat by 168 votes in a by-election held in the same district in June 2008, but has now returned for another attempt.

Although he was overtaken in absentee voting at the time, the fact that in the ballot counting results from 23 polling stations, candidate Lee Wan-mo led Provincial Council Member Lee Seung-chul by 100 votes is a point that raises expectations for this election.

Preliminary candidate Lee Wan-mo is attempting to differentiate himself by presenting specific issues for each administrative district comprising District 5, along with his vision and policy commitments to address them.

Haenggung-dong, Suwon's representative old downtown area, faces stagnation due to various regulations and restrictions caused by cultural heritage protection zones. In the Uman-dong area, he pointed to the relocation of Suwon Correctional Institution (Suwon Detention Center) and the need to secure public transportation routes.

Furthermore, Ji-dong faces issues with revitalizing traditional markets and development impediments due to regulations under the Cultural Heritage Management and Protection Act. In the Ingye-dong area, he analyzed that there are urgent needs for fostering healthy entertainment culture, strengthening public safety and order, and establishing a new middle school.

Accordingly, as a plan to revitalize the old downtown area around the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hwaseong Fortress, he emphasized that development should be pursued as a cultural and tourist destination rather than through commercial development, and that Paldal-gu should be developed into a 'cultural city where the past and future coexist.'

He cited the 'Nagan Eupseong Village' in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, as a development model and proposed converting the Haenggung-dong area within Hwaseong Fortress into a large-scale folk village recreating the Joseon Dynasty era of King Jeongjo.

Additionally, in connection with developing the Haenggung-dong area into a center city for culture and tourism, he proposed a plan to expand nine traditional markets in the Ji-dong area as spaces for culture and arts rather than conventional retail.

He emphasized the need to develop the Suwon Stream area connecting Banghwasuryu Pavilion and Yeongdong Market into a 'culture and arts street' and to make cultural performances and events permanent fixtures through various events to provide attractions and entertainment culture.

He also proposed establishing a customer service system centered on merchant associations through operations of a 'joint delivery system' and converting the 'Paldal Parking Tower' to operation by merchant associations.

In addition, his other policy pledges include ▲Relocation of Suwon Correctional Institution ▲Implementation of free school meals across the board ▲Establishment of a new middle school in Ingye-dong ▲Expansion of bus routes to apartment complexes and installation of soundproof walls ▲Expansion of elderly welfare facilities in Ji-dong ▲Expansion of childcare facilities for working women.

※ Profile

▲Graduate of Suwon North Middle School and Suwon Technical High School ▲Attended Hankyong National University ▲Organizational Communications Advisor to Kim Jin-pyo, Chairman of the Democratic Party Leadership Council ▲Chairperson of Suwon Technical High School Alumni Scholarship Committee ▲Managing Director of Ingye Construction Co., Ltd.