Yoon Suk-yeol: "Gwangju to Become an AI-Based Advanced Science and Technology City"

Official Election Campaign Day 2: Base Rally at Songjeong Maeil Market, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju

Supporters' Enthusiasm Heats Up with Continuous Cheers Despite Bitter Wind, Cold Wave, and Snow Flurries

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is holding a base campaign rally on the second day of official election campaigning at Songjeong Maeil Market in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters reporters Yoon Jamin and Jo Hyungjoo] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, officially kicked off his campaign on the second day by visiting Gwangju Metropolitan City, aiming for a 30% vote share in Honam.

At around 9 a.m. on the 16th, a large crowd gathered in the middle of Songjeong Maeil Market in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Although it was not a market day (the 3rd and 8th of each month are the five-day markets), it felt as if the market was bustling as usual.

With Yoon’s planned base campaign rally here, People Power Party officials, supporters, and citizens gathered.

The sudden severe cold wave that arrived with biting winds since the previous day seemed no match for their enthusiasm.

Before Yoon’s rally, supporters took the stage. Kim Jong-guk, a comedian from KBS’s 5th generation, went up to the podium to appeal for support and boost the mood.

He said, “It is not easy for a TV personality like a comedian to declare support for one person,” adding, “But to set the Republic of Korea right and create a world of fairness and common sense, candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is needed.”

Targeting the MZ generation, young people in their 20s also spoke. Yang Tae-seung, Kim Do-jo, and Hwang In-jung took the stage and said in unison,

“We want a Republic of Korea where the people are treated as owners and can exercise their rightful sovereignty.”

About an hour later, as Yoon was about to arrive, snow began to fall just in time, and the gathered supporters greeted him with words like “Cool” and “Isn’t this a good omen?” When Yoon appeared, cheers erupted with shouts of “Yoon Seok-yeol” and “Regime change.”

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, arrived at Songjeong Maeil Market in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the morning of the 16th, the second day of official election campaigning, and is moving toward the podium.

Yoon raised his hand in response and took the stage.

He began, “I have no regionalism,” adding, “It is time to break the regional structure created by existing politicians for their own comfort, achieve national unity, and bring prosperity to the Republic of Korea and development to Gwangju.”

He continued, “It is true that Gwangju has been neglected and discriminated against,” and promised, “In the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Gwangju will shine and become an ‘AI-based advanced science and technology city.’”

Furthermore, he emphasized, “The May 18 Democratic Movement informed our country and the world about the meaning of liberal democracy,” and said, “Based on this spirit, I will make Gwangju a global AI city beyond Korea.”

He also expressed his stance on attracting a complex shopping mall, which local residents desire.

Yoon said, “Whether in Busan or Daegu, citizens enjoy cultural life, shop, and watch movies in complex shopping malls, but Gwangju does not have a proper one,” adding, “Therefore, residents of Gwangju and Jeonnam have to travel to other regions.”

He continued, “The people of Gwangju and Jeonnam have long wished for the attraction of a complex shopping mall, but who prevented it?” and questioned, “Why should wealthy people and relatively disadvantaged people support specific political parties separately?”

He added, “Not only attracting a complex shopping mall but also developing Gwangju will reduce the outflow of young generations,” and said, “Gwangju will be at the center of Korea’s development.”

Meanwhile, Yoon plans to continue base campaign rallies in Jeonju, Cheongju, and other cities starting from Gwangju on this day. Also, following the death of a staff member of Ahn Cheol-soo’s campaign bus the previous day, he decided not to hold election songs or dances on this day and to conduct a quiet campaign.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is greeting supporters and citizens after finishing a base campaign rally at Songjeong Daily Market in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on the morning of the 16th.

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