Kim Byeongnae, Mayor of Gwangju Nam-gu, Launches Political Career with Book Publication Event

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Kim Byeong-nae, mayor of Nam-gu, Gwangju, is holding a book launch event and embarking on a campaign for re-election.

Ahead of the June local elections, Mayor Kim will publish “Passion and Sincerity” and hold an author signing event on the 12th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the lobby hall on the first floor of Hosimgwan, Gwangju University.

The book records in detail the hectic days over 1,300 days since his inauguration as the 7th elected mayor of Nam-gu, seriously contemplating the potential and possibilities of Nam-gu and persistently challenging them.

In particular, after being elected as the youngest local government head in the Honam region, the book candidly and sincerely captures the process of resolving long-standing projects in Nam-gu based on strong drive and unique affinity, as well as moments when he devoted himself to urban competitiveness and future growth engines.

The author signing event is open only to those who have completed the second dose of the vaccine, those who have a negative PCR or rapid antigen test certificate, or those who have recovered from COVID-19, and will be conducted in a ‘Walking-Thru’ manner for COVID-19 prevention.

Unlike traditional book launch events, there will be no separate celebration, and the time spent at the venue will be minimized except for the author signing and commemorative photos.

Until now, politicians’ book launch events were planned as large-scale events mobilizing as many famous figures and residents as possible to emphasize status and connections.

However, the COVID-19 situation has transformed politicians’ book launch events into forms similar to general book signings. Mayor Kim’s ‘Walking-Thru’ method also demonstrates the changing paradigm of book launch events.

Mayor Kim was born in Yeonggwang, graduated from Jodabu High School and Gwangju University, and served as president of the student council at Gwangju University and co-chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional University Student Council Association. He entered politics as an aide to National Assembly member Kang Woon-tae and has been active in the legislative, executive, and party sectors, including serving as director of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Civil Petition Office and deputy spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea’s central party.

During the 2017 presidential candidate primary, he planned the Honam schedule for candidate Moon Jae-in and Kim Jung-sook, playing a bridging role in the presidential victory. After the Moon Jae-in administration was launched, he was appointed as an administrative officer in the Office of the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs in the first Blue House secretariat, dedicating himself to supporting regional budgets and projects as a communication channel connecting the central government and Honam.

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