Kim Jong-in Visits Gwangju, His Third Passport Stronghold... No Special Message Given

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Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, got out of the car on the morning of the 24th to pay respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju Metropolitan City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, visited Gwangju, a stronghold of the ruling party, for the third time on the 24th, following his visits in August and November.

The day before, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, won the unification against Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, which is interpreted as a move to win the hearts of the Honam region ahead of the April 7 by-elections.

Kim Chairman's first schedule in Gwangju that day, paying respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery, did not go smoothly from the start.

About ten members of the Gwangju-Jeonnam University Students Progressive Union held a rally condemning Kim Chairman and the People Power Party in front of the Democracy Gate of the May 18th Democratic Cemetery about an hour before Kim's arrival.

Their slogans included "Expel the lawmaker who made May 18th slanders" and "Enact the May 18th Special Act."

At around 10:20 a.m., when Kim's vehicle arrived in front of the Democracy Gate, the atmosphere became heated.

As Kim got out of the vehicle escorted by People Power Party officials and police, the Gwangju-Jeonnam University Students Progressive Union blocked his path, causing a commotion for a while.

Preparing for any emergency, People Power Party officials opened umbrellas to shield Kim.

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is offering incense in front of the May spirits at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju Metropolitan City on the morning of the 24th.

With his lips tightly sealed, Kim endured the ordeal for some time and passed through the Democracy Gate.

Throughout the memorial, voices such as "Liar Kim Jong-in, apologize" and "Do you feel any pangs of conscience?" echoed around.

After paying respects at the memorial stones of martyrs Yoon Sang-won and Park Kwan-hyun, Kim's schedule at the May 18th Democratic Cemetery concluded.

Regarding the earlier commotion, Kim briefly commented, "I cannot say anything about those who have different views from mine."

He added, "Since I announced that I would end my term after the April 7 by-elections, other people's opinions about my future actions have nothing to do with my decision."

Meanwhile, he wrote in the guestbook, "I will restore democracy, which has collapsed in the spirit of May 18."

However, he remained silent on the enactment of the May 18 Special Act and the expulsion of lawmakers who made slanders about May 18. Because of this, criticism has arisen that this is merely another "empty talk of accompanying Honam" and a "steamed bun without filling" ahead of the April 7 by-elections.

Previously, Kim had already caused a sense of "disappointment" in the Gwangju area.

In August, he kneeled and paid respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery, raising expectations that the People Power Party would cooperate to resolve regional issues. However, the party repeatedly obstructed the passage of May 18-related bills, causing public sentiment to plummet again.

This visit was also evaluated as a "showy move" rather than a "generous gift," as he simply said he thought he should visit Gwangju before the April 7 by-elections without delivering any special message.

Local political circles analyze that with Oh Se-hoon selected as the unified opposition candidate for Seoul mayor, and many Honam natives living in Seoul, this visit was to appease Honam public sentiment for the mayoral election victory.

A local political official said, "Kim announced his decision to step down as chairman after the April 7 by-elections, so this will effectively be his last visit to Gwangju during his term," adding, "The visit to Gwangju is merely a strategic move ahead of the Seoul mayoral by-election."

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