Lee Jun-seok Visits Gwangju, Signaling Honam Policy Competition Starting with 'Complex Shopping Mall' Project

"Democratic Party: The Biggest Problem Is Thinking Large Complex Shopping Malls Are Just a Simple Commercial Area Issue"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending a discussion on the afternoon of the 22nd at a cafe in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, with local small business owners and youth regarding the attraction of a large complex shopping mall to Gwangju.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jo Hyung-joo] Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is making a move to stir up attention regarding the campaign pledge to attract a large-scale complex shopping mall to Gwangju, which has become a hot issue in the presidential election landscape.

With Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, recently promoting this pledge during a focused campaign in Gwangju, he hinted at "Gwangju Shopping Mall Part 2 and Part 3," signaling fierce policy competition in Honam, a stronghold of the Democratic Party of Korea. He suggested that the political monopoly structure is ultimately acting as an obstacle to economic development, indicating an intention to appeal as an alternative force aiming to achieve a '30% vote share.'

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Lee held a "Joint Response Meeting for Attracting Complex Shopping Malls with the People Power Party" at a cafe in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, stating, "I warn the Democratic Party that there are Gwangju Shopping Mall Part 2 and Part 3 projects that will make them flinch, projects they failed to accomplish because they ignored the sentiments of local residents and only adjusted their interests among themselves."

The meeting was attended by Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, Yoo Ui-dong, chairman of the Policy Committee, youth aides of the People Power Party, Bae Seok-hoon, representative of the Gwangju Citizens' Association for Attracting Large Corporate Complex Shopping Malls, and 10 Gwangju citizens selected by age and occupation.

Lee said, "I am truly grateful and honored to have the opportunity to come to Gwangju, talk about the People Power Party's policies, and receive thoughts on Gwangju's development," adding, "The People Power Party will strengthen direct communication with citizens to solve various problems in Gwangju and, above all, continuously fulfill our obligations together."

He continued, "Regarding the complex shopping mall issue alone, there were plans to promote projects not only in Gwangju but also in Suncheon in 2013, Jeonju in 2016, Wanju in 2018, and Iksan, Yeosu, and Muan in 2020, covering many areas in Honam, but none succeeded," asserting, "In many cases, despite the Democratic Party gaining a significant number of votes in these regions, there were circumstances where they handled matters without reflecting the will of local residents."

On the afternoon of the 22nd, a youth from the People Power Party Policy Headquarters is participating in a discussion at a meeting held at a cafe in Unam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, with local small business owners and young people regarding the attraction of a large complex shopping mall to Gwangju.

A university student in their 20s, representing their generation in the discussion, said, "Gwangju is already among the top ten cities nationwide by population, so it is truly sad that such a pledge itself becomes an issue."

A 20-something job seeker said, "I was shocked to hear that mothers in Gwangju take their young children all the way to Yeosu because there is no aquarium in Gwangju. I attended the discussion for Gwangju's development."

Discussion also took place on the topic, "Will the arrival of a large complex shopping mall really devastate the local commercial district?"

One citizen said, "I understand that 40% of consumption in Gwangju and Jeonnam occurs within the region, and 40% is spent in the Seoul metropolitan area," adding, "If a complex shopping mall is built, it could capture consumption currently leaking to the metropolitan area and contribute to revitalization."

Youth members of the People Power Party's Policy Headquarters cited a study on 11 large complex shopping malls in the Seoul area, stating, "When a large complex shopping mall opens, nearly 70% of customers come from distant areas," and "Sales in surrounding commercial districts increase by up to 33.7%, and new inflows to traditional markets rise by 12%."

They also mentioned statistics showing, "Six out of ten visitors to complex shopping mall stores also use nearby restaurants or retail shops."

A citizen who identified as a public servant said, "When opposing complex shopping malls, the justification has always been to protect small business owners," but added, "However, food material marts have opened in places where malls were blocked, so I wonder if the Democratic Party's excuse that they are protecting small business owners is really valid."

In response, Lee said, "The biggest problem is that the Democratic Party simply views the issue of large complex shopping malls as a matter of commercial districts," adding, "A complex shopping mall means spaces where families can enjoy themselves, such as kids' cafes and aquariums. Such infrastructure must be established for Gwangju to become a cultural hub."

Regarding the gap between the metropolitan area and local regions, he said, "One way to overcome income and asset disparities is to prevent experience gaps," and sharply criticized, "I think the Democratic Party lacks sensitivity in this regard."

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