Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop Warns Political Circles: "Do Not Promote Division Within the Region Through Complex Shopping Malls"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, recently expressed his position regarding the contentious competition between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party over attracting the ‘Gwangju Complex Shopping Mall’.

He stated that the attraction of the complex shopping mall is being properly pursued in accordance with the will of the citizens, and urged not to incite division and conflict within the region but to focus on more urgent livelihood issues.

On the 18th, Mayor Lee held an online briefing and said, “The attraction of the complex shopping mall is a matter for the mayor of Gwangju to take responsibility for and to promote through consultation with the citizens.”

He continued, “The controversy began when presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol stated during his Gwangju campaign on the 16th that the failure to attract the complex shopping mall was ‘the responsibility of the Democratic Party,’” adding, “Eventually, political parties are even discussing holding a debate on this issue.”

He also emphasized, “Our city clearly announced its position on attracting the complex shopping mall last August and is currently pursuing it. Although it is a very sensitive issue because small business owners are the most affected by COVID-19, we have judged that it is no longer a matter to be postponed. We are seeking an attraction plan that harmonizes and enables coexistence between the survival rights of small business owners, protection of the local commercial district, citizens’ shopping convenience, and enhancement of urban competitiveness.”

Furthermore, he explained, “At the end of last year, the ‘Gwangju Great Transformation Special Promotion Committee,’ composed mainly of citizens and experts, is reviewing the attraction of a complex shopping mall that can coexist with small business owners as part of creating a Green Smart Fun City to open a ‘bigger and stronger era of Gwangju.’ During meetings with the chairpersons of the Gwangju Small Business Association, a consensus was formed on attracting the complex shopping mall, and plans are being developed to attract it in a way that coexists with small business owners and self-employed individuals.”

He added, “Attracting the complex shopping mall is an issue that the local community must solve for regional development, protection of small business owners, and improvement of citizens’ quality of life. If there are any matters requiring political support during the promotion process, we will request assistance at that time,” drawing a clear line.

He concluded, “I ask the political circles not to politicize this issue to incite division and conflict within the region or hinder regional unity, but to take the lead in finding fundamental solutions to more urgent livelihood problems that need to be resolved.”

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