The transition committee tasked with building the new Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province administration has a new chair. Choi Heung-jip, a former political vice governor who had been designated to lead the committee, declined the post and agreed instead to serve as an adviser, clearing the way for the province's top academic figure to take the role.
Governor-elect Woo Sang-ho named Kim Heon-young, former president of Gangwon National University, to chair the committee that will draft the practical blueprint for the ninth elected provincial administration.
Choi will serve as standing policy adviser to the transition committee following his request to step down from the chairmanship. Woo said he intends to maintain his commitment to cross-ideological unity with the change.
Kim is the first president in Gangwon National University's history to have served consecutive terms.
During his tenure, he lifted the university to the top employment rate among regional national universities, drawing on what colleagues described as strong crisis management and dedication, and led its transformation into a research-focused, innovation-driven institution — earning wide praise both on and off campus.
Woo said Kim was chosen because he is "the right person to drive, with urgency, the creation of youth jobs and the building of a local government-industry-university cooperative ecosystem" — both central campaign pledges of the incoming administration. "I expect him to deliver outstanding results in shaping concrete youth policies that bring young people back to Gangwon Province by uniting universities, local governments and businesses, and in giving form to the province's future vision," Woo added.
The transition committee for the ninth elected Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province administration is scheduled to hold a signboard-unveiling ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday at an annex of the Gangwon Provincial Government building, formally launching its work.
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