Lee Jae-myung Visits Gwangju: "Gwangju is the Social Mother"... Pledges Enactment of Special Law for Military Airport Relocation

First Regional Visit After Inauguration: Visiting Gwangju
Emphasizing Regional Balance While Courting Honam

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who visited Gwangju as his first regional schedule after taking office, emphasized the importance of the Gwangju region and promised to push for the enactment of the 'Special Act on the Relocation of Gwangju Airport Military Airport.'

On the 2nd, Lee presided over an on-site Supreme Council meeting at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju and stated, "Gwangju is like a mother to the Democratic Party."

He said, "Currently, under the Yoon Seok-yeol government, the task of balanced regional development is being deprioritized and regressing," adding, "From the perspective of regional balance, just as our government supports the construction of the Gadeok New Airport through a special law, I have said during the presidential and party leader elections that government support for Gwangju Airport and Daegu Airport should also be possible through a special law, and I will keep that promise."

During his previous presidential campaign, Lee visited Gwangju and pledged to actively support the relocation of the Gwangju military airport. At that time, he said, "I will actively support the relocation of the Gwangju military airport in line with the support for the Gadeok New Airport, and support the smart city development project where 4th Industrial Revolution technologies will be demonstrated on the site."

On this day, Lee said, "Gwangju gave me overwhelming support in the last presidential election, but due to my shortcomings, you experienced much disappointment and frustration," and "the fact that you raised me again with nearly 80% support despite being the one most responsible for the defeat must be a command to change and protect the broken democracy." He added, "I will transform the Democratic Party into a competent and strong party and surely turn our frustration and despair into hope and passion."

Earlier that morning, after paying respects at the Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, Lee told reporters, "Originally, Lee Jae-myung was a young man dreaming of personal success, but after learning the reality of the Gwangju 5·18 Democratization Movement, he was reborn as a new person living a public-spirited life," and said, "Therefore, Gwangju is my social mother."

In the guestbook, he also emphasized, "I will carry on the spirit of Gwangju and build a competent and strong Democratic Party."

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