Kim Ho-gyeom: "I will thoroughly oversee provincial administration and budget deliberations"

Kim Ho-gyeom (51, Democratic Party), the Gyeonggi Province Assemblyman-elect for Suwon District 6, has successfully transitioned from a freshman member of the 8th Suwon City Council to a freshman member of the 8th Gyeonggi Province Assembly. Based on his city council experience, Kim has taken on the role of "provincial administration supervisor and sentinel."

- Did you anticipate victory, and what were the factors behind your win?

▲ Personally, I never once thought I would lose and I held confidence. This is because over the past four years I have communicated closely with residents in the most direct manner, and I did my best in terms of recognition and local activities.

The victory factor lies in the fact that Paldal-gu needs change and reform. This local election was a venue for voters to pass judgment on the current government's misrule, to replace local power, and to realize free school meals. Looking at the series of results, I believe voters have rendered their judgment and this reflects residents' aspirations and desires for change.

- What is your take on stepping onto the larger stage of the provincial assembly?

▲ I believe my city council experience will be a significant asset. I received briefings on the overall provincial situation, and this time there is a clear necessity that free school meals must be implemented.

Additionally, I will focus on welfare services for low-income groups including elderly, people with disabilities, and child-headed households, as well as welfare for farmers and fishermen.

Because the ruling party had monopolized power until now, the assembly has become non-functional with budget examinations and administrative audits neglected, and it has become merely a gathering of their own. This time, I will truly play the role of provincial administration supervisor and sentinel.

There were no assemblypeople raising issues about unnecessary expenditures or the World Yacht Festival that was held. I believe there are problems with the province's key projects as well. I will examine whether these projects have problems together with experts.

- Which standing committee would you like to serve on?

▲ I have been assigned to the Planning Committee, and I want to comprehensively review whether Gyeonggi Province's budget is being properly allocated for provincial residents and whether recipient organizations are using it appropriately.

- How will you address local issues?

▲ As local issues, the old downtown and western Suwon areas are virtually devoid of cultural spaces for youth, housewives, and elderly people. I will work to secure welfare centers for youth, women, housewives, and elderly by securing provincial funding. Sukji Park could be an alternative for this, and I will make such spaces available for commercial use.

Hwaseo Market fundamentally lacks infrastructure. Since there is an absence of facilities, management, and parking infrastructure for market revitalization, I will work toward budgetary and institutional support to develop Hwaseo Market into a top-tier traditional market through its modernization and revitalization.

Additionally, I will ensure that the landscaping project around the Hyanggyo Plaza in Maegyeong-dong, redevelopment projects, traditional market revitalization, and the Suwon Station area urban regeneration project proceed steadily.

- If there is any mutual support with the elected mayor and city council members, or a direction for legislative activities?

▲ I will place emphasis on history, culture, and economic revitalization, and support the elected officials with unity for Suwon's regional development.

Additionally, I am thinking about a cost-sharing approach to secure professional personnel such as interns or a sort of chief of staff to assist the members.

In particular, there is an atmosphere of becoming a studying assemblywoman, implementing an exemplary member image starting from Suwon, and at the same time meeting regularly with the mayor for consultations—this time we want to do it properly. The elected provincial assemblypeople will form a consultative body to systematize legislative activities and establish regular meetings with Suwon City, and we will cooperate regardless of party lines and move forward together in the region as well.

- Finally, a word to citizens and voters.

▲ I was chosen as a city councilman and this time I have been chosen as a provincial assemblyman. I have received love and grace from local residents, and I believe the way to repay this is to work closely together and at a lower level, sharing joys and sorrows, while devoting all my efforts to regional development and transforming Gyeonggi Province.

I will work hard so that my election as a provincial assemblyman becomes not a personal glory but a glory for local residents.