Woo Sang-ho vows to make Gangwon Province a source of pride

Woo Sang-ho, governor-elect of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, received his certificate of election from the Gangwon election commission. His four-year term as governor begins July 1.

Earlier, the Democratic Party of Korea's Gangwon campaign committee held its dissolution ceremony at Boram Tower on Anmasan-ro in Chuncheon.

"I will achieve a special leap forward for Gangwon through unity and pragmatism," Woo said. "I will pursue an inclusive administration that tears down the wall between progressives and conservatives, embracing everyone, and I will revive industry so that young people come back."

The ceremony drew a large crowd, including Woo, overall standing campaign committee chairman and former Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon, standing co-chairs Song Gi-heon, Heo Yeong, Choi Uk-cheol and Choi Yun, co-chairs Yu Jeong-bae, Kim Jae-jung, Jeon Ho-cheol and Yeo Jun-seong, and chief spokesperson Rep. Baek Seung-a, along with campaign staff and supporters. All shared in the joy of victory and reaffirmed their commitment to the incoming provincial administration.

Choi, the overall standing campaign committee chairman, said he would never forget the dedication of staff who endured grueling schedules crossing Taebaek Mountain from dawn until their hair turned white. "I am convinced that Governor-elect Woo will build deep trust with the people of Gangwon and become a great governor — a 'super potato, premium potato,'" he said.

The former governor drew loud applause when he called out: "People of Gangwon — please take care of Woo Sang-ho! Sang-ho — please take care of Gangwon!"

Woo reflected on the tightness of the race. "When some were boasting of winning by 15 or 20 percentage points, I was stunned — almost got goosebumps — watching the public's remarkable political instincts as they restored the balance," he said. "That is precisely why this victory in Gangwon will be seen as all the more valuable."

Woo also expressed regret for Democratic Party candidates who fell short. "At this very moment, I want first to console the comrades who were not elected alongside us," he said. "I blame myself, feeling that it was not their shortcomings but rather a failure by the gubernatorial candidate and the party to provide enough support. From those who lost in the primary to those defeated in the general race, I will not forget their pain — I will embrace them all and move forward together."

He called on supporters to stay by his side, saying he could not keep his promises alone. "I made no hollow pledges, but keeping the promises I did make is beyond my power alone. I feel a sense of urgency — Gangwon cannot develop without the help of campaign committee members and supporters," he said. "My greatest concern is how to transform the sense of defeat that Gangwon has long felt into pride. The moment people feel proud simply for living in Gangwon — that is the moment Gangwon becomes truly special. I will give everything I have over the next four years to making that happen."