Lee Jun-seok "Gwangju Complex Shopping Mall Discourse, a Stronghold in the Fight Against Cartelized Local Politics"

"The Moment of Planting the Flag on March 9 Will Change Local Politics"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is appealing for support from the campaign stage in the Chungjang-ro area of Gwangju on the 24th. (Provided by People Power Party)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] On the 24th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, appealed for support at a campaign event held around Chungjang-ro in Gwangju, saying, "If Gwangju's politics have not provided benefits or inspiration to the current 2030 generation, citizens have the right to criticize and change that."

Lee brought up the pledge by Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, to attract a complex shopping mall. He explained, "The complex shopping mall is shaking up the political scene," adding, "The complex shopping mall represents a very small yet symbolic expression of rights that were deprived due to the logic and interests of local political bosses." He continued, "This discourse has already become a stronghold in the fight against the cartelized local politics of Gwangju," emphasizing, "The moment the flag is planted on this stronghold in the March 9 presidential election, the region's politics will change."

Lee further stressed that "the voluntary actions of citizens to protect their most basic rights and desires are the core that makes the Gwangju spirit special beyond the general principles of democracy," insisting that Gwangju must change. He added, "If we leave it to politicians who follow the trend and play it safe rather than presenting a direction, nothing will change," and said, "I intend to gradually advance to realize my hope to reject old-fashioned thinking and politics of 'whatever is good is good' and to pursue a different kind of politics."

He also said, "The politics of Gwangju, which continues in vague inertia, must change," and asked, "Please sound the alarm to the Democratic Party, which mistakenly believes it monopolizes the votes of Honam after this election." He further stated, "If we cannot break the cartel of local political bosses who hold Gwangju and Honam hostage and drag the Gwangju spirit into the complex shopping mall issue, that opportunity may not come again for several years."

Finally, Lee said, "Please break the traditional conservative prejudice that Gwangju will not change after this election," and added, "This is your once-in-five-years opportunity to exercise your strongest rights."

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