Independent Naju Mayor Candidate Kang In-gyu Holds Election Office Opening Ceremony

‘Unfair Ranking, Fake Democracy Judgment’ Warning Performance,

Filled with Unique Events like Naju Youth Support Declaration Performance

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] On the 14th, the election office opening ceremony of Kang In-gyu, an independent candidate for mayor of Naju City who declared his independent candidacy on the 2nd, was held successfully on the 4th floor of the Mireu Saem Building in Jungang-dong with about 2,000 supporters in attendance.

Attendees at today's opening ceremony included former National Assembly member Bae Gi-woon, former KBO Secretary-General Lee Sang-gu, Chairman of Gwangjeon Labor Union Lee Jin-woo, independent provincial assembly candidate Shin Sang-cheol, Welfare TV President Kim Il-hwan, Lee Gye-ik of Dasi Nonghyup, former Jeonnam District J.C. Chairman Lee Guk-heon, and Jo Dae-bong, president of the Journalists Association.

Independent provincial assembly candidates Kim Seon-yong, who also declared independent candidacy alongside Kang In-gyu, and city council candidates Kim Jang-ju, Lee Kwang-seok, Lim Chae-soo, and Hwang Jeong-heon gave congratulatory speeches, showcasing the solidarity of the independent coalition.

Introduced by his youngest supporter, his granddaughter, Kang In-gyu took the podium and expressed his feelings, saying, “Since declaring my third-term challenge on April 4, the past month has been a rollercoaster between heaven and hell, with days filled with both inspiration and anger. The unfair nomination screening results caused me great anger and sleepless nights, but the encouragement and support from the citizens lifted me up.”

He continued, “Supporters are gathering, saying ‘Let’s judge the new 판 with 심’ (a wordplay), and a ‘sincere pledge’ tailored to the citizens’ perspective is ready. We are fully prepared to enter the full-scale election,” showing confidence.

Kang said, “Among the supporters, some are so frustrated that they want to leave the Democratic Party. I ask you not to leave the Democratic Party but to stay and judge fake democracy with your votes. Like the saying 줄탁동시 (啄同時), meaning ‘the chick and the mother bird pecking simultaneously,’ I will fight from outside for Democratic Party reform, so please fight from inside to break the egg of Democratic Party innovation,” appealing to the audience.

He also emphasized that he is “a mayoral candidate who can be deployed immediately without rehearsal, a candidate who can continuously pursue long-term projects without erasing the traces of the previous mayor, and a candidate who will lead changes in Naju that no previous mayor has achieved.”

Furthermore, he stated, “Academic background and career do not necessarily indicate the qualifications of a mayor. Can someone who only came during election season, showing no interest in citizens’ voices and only running after receiving the nomination from the local party chair, really be considered suitable for mayor of Naju? I, Kang In-gyu, the bent pine tree of Naju, am the right person for mayor of Naju,” expressing his confidence.

Today’s election office opening ceremony of Kang In-gyu was filled with unique events such as a warning letter performance and youth performances.

Attendees held yellow placards, Kang In-gyu’s symbolic color, to deliver warning letters to the Democratic Party, and young people from the Naju area held banners with their messages in a performance supporting Kang In-gyu.

Kang In-gyu has pledged to support positive changes created by youth through the establishment of a one-stop youth support platform, youth Noriter, youth rental housing, and youth rental-type smart farms to create a youth hope city.

Kang In-gyu, who registered as an independent candidate on the 12th, was assigned candidate number 5 through the election commission’s draw on the 13th.

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr

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