12 Local Elders Declare Support for Gwangju Mayor Candidate Kang Ki-jung

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Twelve senior figures from politics, economy, and society in the Gwangju area declared their support on the 13th for Kang Ki-jung, the Democratic Party's preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangju.

They questioned, "Although this is the 8th mayoral election of Gwangju since the implementation of the local autonomy system, have we ever truly had a mayor suitable for Gwangju?" and stated, "A Gwangju-style mayor must have a sound spirit, know how to get things done, and be someone who can always communicate closely with the citizens."

They continued, "Preliminary candidate Kang possesses all three of these qualities. Through student movements and democratization movements, he gained recognition for the legitimacy of the May 18 Democratic Uprising during a time when perpetrators held power, and as a member of the National Assembly, he achieved significant results in politics for socially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, youth, and women, including the enactment of the Basic Old-age Pension Act," explaining their reasons for support.

They also emphasized, "Preliminary candidate Kang, having served three terms as a National Assembly member and as Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, created and implemented substantial development pledges and policies for Gwangju and Jeonnam," and added, "He is the only mayoral candidate who can accurately diagnose the current state of Gwangju and lead it toward a progressive direction."

Finally, they appealed, "A mayor who truly loves Gwangju must be someone who can soothe the wounds of the people. Preliminary candidate Kang is the right person to lead regional development with swift and confident driving force while embracing and uniting the community internally," and said, "We recommend Kang Ki-jung as a Gwangju-style mayor to all citizens. We earnestly ask you to join the great transformation of Gwangju with the spirit of holding a candle."

The declaration of support included Kang Jeong-chae, former president of Chonnam National University; Kang Hee-wook, pastor of Manbaekseong Full Gospel Church; Kim Young-cheol, former chairman of the National University Professors Association; Na Hoon, president of the Gwangju Metropolitan Baseball and Softball Association; Lee Myung-han, novelist and chairman of the 19th Moon Jae-in presidential candidate support committee; Park Seok-moo, chairman of the Dasan Research Institute; Park Hwa-gang, former senior reporter of Hankyoreh Newspaper; Yoon Kwang-jang, former chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation; Jeong Gu-seon, former chairman of the Gwangju Metropolitan Senior Council; Jeong Chan-yong, former senior secretary for personnel affairs at the Blue House; Jeong Hye-sook, former chairperson of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union; and Choi Cheol, former president of the Chonnam National University Democratic Alumni Association.

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