[April 15 General Election] Candidate Kim Won-i: "Mokpo Citizens Have Rewritten Honam Political History"

New Mokpo, Elected as Member of the National Assembly with the Mission of Change 'Blue'

Candidate Kim Won-i is expressing his election victory remarks at the campaign office. (Photo by Kim Won-i Campaign Office)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Kim Won-i, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, was elected as the 21st National Assembly member for Mokpo City. Kim Won-i is being praised for rewriting the political history of Mokpo, the political stronghold of Jeollanam-do, and Honam.

Kim Won-i caused a sensation by defeating two incumbent lawmakers: Park Ji-won of the Minsheng Party, a political veteran who was aiming for a fifth term, and Yoon So-ha, the floor leader of the Justice Party.

As of 1 a.m. on the 16th, with 41.3% of the votes counted in the 21st National Assembly general election, candidate Kim received 24,248 votes, securing 44.9% of the vote, surpassing Park Ji-won of the Minsheng Party, who received 21,317 votes (39.5%) and ranked second. The third-place candidate, Yoon So-ha of the Justice Party, received 12.9% of the votes.

In this general election, Mokpo, the political hometown of former President Kim Dae-jung and known as the "No. 1 political district in Honam," was the fiercest battleground in the Honam region and attracted nationwide attention. Reflecting the intense competition, out of 189,655 registered voters, 128,720 participated, recording a historic high turnout rate of 67.9%.

The election results signify the end of an era for close aides of former President Kim Dae-jung, such as Kwon No-gap, Han Hwa-gap, Kim Hong-il, and Park Ji-won, who have served as Mokpo National Assembly members, and mark the beginning of a new and younger political leadership that will carry on the DJ spirit.

During the campaign, Kim Won-i led with slogans like "New Mokpo" and "Mission Handover," focusing on uniting citizens' aspirations for change and a groundbreaking leap forward for the stagnant Mokpo.

Kim maintained a dominant position throughout the nine opinion polls conducted until the ban on publishing poll results, never losing first place and continuing the momentum.

He appealed to voters by saying, "This general election must lay the foundation for the success of President Moon Jae-in, born from the Candlelight Revolution, and the reestablishment of the administration, as well as create a groundbreaking turning point for the development of a new Mokpo."

Voters also expressed their expectations for a fresh and proven new figure, regarded as a "next-generation leader." Starting as a grade 7 district office secretary 23 years ago and rising to a vice mayor of Seoul at the vice-ministerial level, Kim's diverse experience and capabilities in the party, government, and Blue House were highly valued by voters through their ballots.

During the election period, despite facing relentless attacks from competing candidates, Kim Won-i broke through head-on by leading a thorough policy-focused and positive campaign, fostering a new election culture.

Kim Won-i said, "First, I would like to express my gratitude and consolation to candidates Park Ji-won, Yoon So-ha, and Hwang Gyu-won, who competed in the election. I will not forget Park Ji-won's experience and Yoon So-ha's dedication and will carry them forward well to bring about new and groundbreaking changes, ushering in a new Mokpo and the springtime of Mokpo."

He continued, "This result is the outcome of the convergence of the aspirations of Mokpo citizens who desire a new Mokpo and the demand for a mission handover to a ruling party figure with the capability to realize it. I applaud the citizens of Mokpo who created a citizen revolution and election revolution with the highest voter turnout in history."

He emphasized, "We will lay the foundation for the success of President Moon Jae-in, born from the Candlelight Revolution, and the reestablishment of the administration, and create a groundbreaking turning point for the development of a new Mokpo."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.