Won Hee-ryong Emphasizes 'Honam Together'... "Apologies for the Atrocities of the Military Dictatorship"

Visiting Gwangju on 26-27: "Stop Exclusionary Politics... Elevate Honam's Democratic Spirit"

Promise of National Unity... "Yoon Seok-yeol Shouldn't Only Look at Approval Ratings... Critical Verification Remains"

Former Jeju Governor and People Power Party presidential candidate Won Hee-ryong is holding a press conference at the briefing room of Gwangju Metropolitan Council on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Park Jin-hyung

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Former Jeju Governor and People Power Party presidential candidate Won Hee-ryong visited Gwangju Metropolitan City, a stronghold of the ruling party, on the 26th and apologized, saying he "thoroughly reflects on the mistakes of the past military dictatorship."

On the afternoon of the same day, Won held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council briefing room and said, "During the past military dictatorship represented by the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, state authority killed citizens."

Won said, "To protect democracy, I will walk together with Honam in endless reflection," and appealed for support, saying, "I will repay by honoring the dignity of Honam’s democratic spirit and shining it brightly."

He promised national unity, saying, "I will overcome the 'politics of exclusion' that discriminated against people just because they are from Honam."

In particular, he pledged, "Even during the rapid industrialization process, Honam was relatively neglected. With the era of artificial intelligence and local-centered growth, I will design a major national plan so that the Honam region can establish itself as a leading economic force of innovative growth that leads the future of the Republic of Korea."

He reiterated the keyword 'walking together with Honam,' saying, "We must overcome exclusion in politics and marginalization in the economy and move forward together as a leading force of the Republic of Korea."

Regarding Yoon Seok-yeol, who is leading the party’s internal approval ratings, he said, "I do not know if he has the prepared ability to run the country in the future," and evaluated, "There will be unlimited battles between the ruling and opposition parties ahead, but will he be able to pass the verification? A big hurdle awaits."

Regarding the 12 party lawmakers suspected of real estate speculation, he said, "Real estate speculation must be dealt with severely as a warning to others," but added, "However, in some cases, the facts are far from speculation. It is also true that there is much controversy between the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission standards and the party standards."

Won’s next schedule is to visit Yangdong Market in Gwangju to meet small business owners struggling due to COVID-19.

He emphasized, "In solving national crises and hardships at the level of the IMF, all citizens must raise one voice and overcome them together."

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