Gwangju Mayor Candidate Kang Ki-jung Busy Securing Votes in Final Stretch

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kang Ki-jung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, launched a last-minute campaign to win votes on the 31st, one day before the June 1 local elections.

While strengthening direct contact with citizens on site, he repeatedly expressed his commitment to party innovation and regional development, launching an all-out effort to increase voter turnout and appeal for support.

On the same day, Kang began his final campaign schedule by attending the funeral of the late Jeong Dong-nyeon, chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, who devoted himself to various social movements including the May 18 Democratization Movement.

He mourned, saying, “The chairman, who became a May death row inmate as a result of resisting ruthless power, was an infinitely warm and trustworthy person. To me, he was another family member and teacher who connected me with my wife. Although the sudden news is deeply shocking, I hope he can now lay down his heavy burden and rest in peace.”

Immediately after, at 11 a.m., he attended a joint press conference where Democratic Party candidates for the Gwangju local elections gathered, repeatedly urging party innovation and voter participation.

On the 26th, Kang had also issued a joint statement at the National Assembly in Seoul with Kim Young-rok, candidate for governor of Jeonnam Province, and Kim Kwan-young, candidate for governor of Jeonbuk Province, promising to spark a wave of innovation starting from Honam through the formation of a party innovation committee and the restoration of strong moral leadership.

After the joint press conference, he immediately took to the streets. Kang, who had focused on winning the youth vote, visited his alma mater, Chonnam National University, to appeal for support together with his family, following the youth street campaign held the previous day around Geumnam-ro and the Asia Culture Center.

He then held a focused campaign rally at Sangmu Citizen’s Park at 5 p.m.

His final campaign schedule included a visit to the city bus garage located in Songha-dong, Gwangju.

On the first day of the campaign, the 19th, Kang visited sanitation workers and the Namgwangju Haetteuneun Market to greet citizens starting their day early. He plans to meet city bus drivers who work late into the night as the citizens’ means of transportation to listen to their on-site difficulties.

Kang Ki-jung said, “With rapid change, continuous innovation, and a more humble attitude, the Democratic Party will take the lead in Gwangju’s development. I ask citizens to unite their power for regional development through voting participation. I will surely repay the citizens with good policies.”

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