PPP chief pushes development plan for Gyeonggi as party battles for votes

Gyeonggi is considered one of the toughest battlegrounds for the PPP, given the rival Democratic Party’s (DP) strength in the region. In 2020, the DP won 51 seats in Gyeonggi over the PPP’s seven.

People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon shakes hand with Samsung Electronics president Lee Jung-bae with SK hynix president Kim Dong-sub sitting on the left, in Suwon on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Han Dong-hoon has laid out development plans for Gyeonggi, including relocating rail tracks underground, in an apparent bid to increase support for the party in the upcoming April election.

Gyeonggi is considered one of the toughest battlegrounds for the PPP, given the rival Democratic Party’s (DP) strength in the region.

DP chief Lee Jae-myung established his political career in Gyeonggi, serving eight years as the city of Seongnam's mayor and as the province’s governor.

During his visit to Suwon on Wednesday, Han emphasized the necessity of moving rail tracks underground to unite separated neighborhoods and stimulate business opportunities through development.

“In the past, during the industrial era, railroads passing through a city contributed significantly to regional development," Han said. "However, today, those same old tracks, such as the Gyeongbu rail line in the case of Suwon, have physically divided the city into east and west.”

"The currently divided areas should be developed as a unified territory," Han said. "If we could cover the rail tracks and transform them into parks, we could envision a city with a skyline similar to Manhattan's."

He highlighted that such development would not only enhance the regional economy but also create new business opportunities and improve the quality of living.

“There could be additional benefits from relocating the railroad underground,” Han said.

Burying railroads underground is the second campaign promise that the PPP announced ahead of the general election in April.

The party’s initial commitment focuses on implementing policies to address the urgent issue of the shrinking population due to declining fertility rates and an aging population.

Earlier in the day, Han also met with representatives of the Korean semiconductor industry in Suwon, including Samsung Electronics, where he pledged the PPP's full support.

The attendees included SK hynix’s president Kim Dong-sub and Samsung Electronics’ president Lee Jung-bae.

Both global chipmakers have major semiconductor complexes in Gyeonggi. Samsung Electronics, in particular, has one of its largest production lines in Suwon.

The recent visit comes on the heels of the PPP’s effort to broaden its support in Seoul and the surrounding area.

People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon, left, talks with a Suwon resident in Jangan District, Gyeonggi, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Unlike Seoul, where the PPP's backing has surged notably since Han assumed leadership last month, the party has had a tough time loosening the DP’s firm grip in Gyeonggi.

According to a survey by Gallup Korea last week, PPP support in Seoul stood at 37 percent, compared to the DP's 31 percent. However, in Gyeonggi, the DP leads with 37 percent to PPP's 32 percent.

Under the previous leadership of Kim Gi-hyeon, Seoul and Gyeonggi party members, aiming to compete against the DP in the upcoming elections, expressed concerns about diminishing support in these critical regions.

In 2020, as the PPP lost ground in Seoul and Gyeonggi, the DP gained control of the National Assembly.

The DP secured a parliamentary majority with 180 seats to the PPP’s 103.

In Seoul alone, the DP took 41 seats over the PPP’s eight, and in Incheon, the DP overwhelmed its rival with 11 seats to one.

In Gyeonggi, the DP won 51 seats over the PPP’s seven.

However, during the 2022 presidential election, Seoul voters favored the PPP candidate Yoon Suk Yeol over the DP’s Lee by 50.6 percent to 45.7 percent.

However, Gyeonggi supported its former mayor and governor, giving Lee 50.94 percent support to Yoon's 45.6 percent.

On Wednesday, Han also urged that some Gyeonggi cities, such as Gimpo, be incorporated into Seoul.

"In a sense, some cities in Gyeonggi are already connected with Seoul," Han said.

“There are inconveniences, such as those living in northern Gyeonggi having to travel through Seoul to get their administrative work done,” he added. “These are hurdles that prevent northern Gyeonggi from developing.”

He said he empathizes with arguments for incorporating certain Gyeonggi cities into Seoul to create a megacity or for Gyeonggi to be divided according to residents' convenience.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]