Mokpo's Population Drops Below 200,000… Son Hye-won: "Politics Killed the City"

Honam is considered a politically significant and important region in South Korea, and Mokpo, in particular, holds deep meaning as the political hometown of the late President Kim Dae-jung. However, the host pointed out, "According to former Assembly member Son Hye-won, Mokpo is a prime example of politics killing a city, isn't that right?" indicating that despite its political symbolism, Mokpo is experiencing urban decline. This assessment well illustrates Mokpo's current situation and sense of crisis.

In contrast to other regions like Suncheon Bay that successfully seized issues and achieved urban development, Mokpo missed numerous opportunities for growth. The interviewee pointed out, "Mokpo missed all those many periods," analyzing that the loss of appropriate timing and momentum for urban development is a major cause of Mokpo's decline. This implies that Mokpo failed to properly ride the wave of change.

Despite Assembly Member Park Jie-won serving three terms as a national assembly member in Mokpo and acting as a regional leader, criticism has emerged that Mokpo's decline is accelerating. The interviewee strongly criticized Park's lack of achievements in regional development, stating, "He has truly been the leader in Mokpo all this time, but what exactly has he done?" This suggests the need for new leadership for Mokpo's development, along with the accountability of local politicians.

The phenomenon of Mokpo residents moving en masse to the Namak and Oryong districts, which belong to Muan-gun, is intensifying. The main reason is the rural and fishing village special benefits offered in these areas, with significant advantages particularly in the educational environment. The interviewee explained, "If children attend school there for 12 years, those rural and fishing village special benefits are very significant. They are entitled to receive them. So all the sons and daughters here are going to Oryong and Namak districts," emphasizing that this is accelerating Mokpo's population outflow and hollowing-out phenomenon.

Recently, Mokpo City's population has fallen below the 200,000 mark, facing a serious situation. The interviewee predicted, "I saw that Mokpo's population recently fell below 200,000. It will likely break 190,000 within this year," expressing concern that the population decline will further accelerate. This indicates that Mokpo is experiencing rapid urban decline and that the problem of reduced regional vitality due to population decrease is severe.

Regarding discussions about the merger of Muan-gun and Mokpo City, Muan-gun takes a negative stance due to practical differences in benefits. The interviewee retorted, "Is Muan crazy? Its population has increased by tens of thousands due to those rural and fishing village special benefits, with too many students. So why would those people merge? This is a benefit received by the county." He emphasized that Muan-gun, which is experiencing population influx due to rural and fishing village special benefits, has no reason to merge. This shows that in a situation where only Mokpo City is accelerating its decline, finding a solution through integration with surrounding areas is not easy.

Former Assembly member Son Hye-won stated that she has worked for Mokpo's old downtown regeneration for the past six years but has come to deeply recognize the problems with current budgets and policies. She expressed her alarm, saying, "It's been six years since I moved down to Mokpo, and I tried to do something with Mokpo's old downtown, but I think Mokpo will collapse before I die." Therefore, she expressed her determination to directly participate in administration by running for city council to identify problems and bring about practical change.

Former Assembly member Son Hye-won emphasized that Mokpo's old downtown is its "last remaining lifeline" and is promoting a strategy to revitalize the city through it. She is striving to persuade public officials with a historical approach using the local material of tuff and to induce administrative change through dramatic material composition. She showed strong determination for old downtown regeneration, stating, "I must ensure this proceeds in a correct and good direction, mustn't I?"

Former Assembly member Son Hye-won is acting as a bridge, connecting issues difficult for Mokpo City Hall to solve with the central government. She stated, "I follow up on problems that are a bit difficult for City Hall to solve. Only when they ask for help together do we resolve them, and for minor issues with the central government, I solve them as well. By solving these small problems, my popularity among Mokpo City Hall employees has increased." She clarified that she is resolving local issues through cooperation with public officials. Even after the election period, she continues her activities by staying in Mokpo without visiting Seoul.

Former Assembly member Son Hye-won is confident that Mokpo can revive if only the old downtown is restored, emphasizing regional economic revitalization through tourist inflow. She asserted, "I believe Mokpo has no other way but for me to somehow save just the old downtown. Tourists must come, spend money, and truly flood in, so that the entire city of Mokpo can come alive. If people don't come to visit Mokpo, nothing can happen." She predicted that tourist spending will lead to vitality for all of Mokpo. To achieve this, she is pursuing a strategy of planning youth festivals to encourage stays in the old downtown, promoting consumption through SNS marketing, and linking with local restaurants.

Former Assembly member Son Hye-won is striving to create synergy for the old downtown regeneration project through collaboration with youth businesses. She proposed a sole-source contract to young female entrepreneurs with business registrations, saying, "I think they will boom this up in an instant if they come and stay here, go to local restaurants, and post on Instagram." This emphasizes the importance of fostering practical support and cooperation through the voluntary participation and brainstorming of young people, rather than direct political intervention.