Democratic Party Gwangju Branch Closes Proportional Representation Applications... 19 Candidates for Metropolitan and Local Councils

Eight Apply for Metropolitan Proportional Disability Seat
Eleven Compete for Local Proportional Women and Youth Seats
Final Candidates to Be Determined After Document Review and Interviews

The Gwangju Metropolitan City branch of the Democratic Party of Korea has closed applications for proportional representative candidates for the 9th Nationwide Local Elections. A restricted recruitment method was applied to expand the entry of socially disadvantaged groups—such as persons with disabilities, youth, and women—as well as political newcomers into the assembly.

On March 24, the Gwangju City branch announced that applications for the “9th Nationwide Local Elections Proportional Representative Candidates for Gwangju Metropolitan City Council and Local Council” have been closed.

For the proportional representative (persons with disabilities) seat on the metropolitan council, which elects one member, eight candidates applied: Kang Kyungsik, Kim Hyun, Noh Dongju, Moon Kyungyang, Lee Soonhwa, Lee Hyungil, Jeon Jagwang, and Jin Geon.

For the proportional representative (women and youth) seats on the local council, a total of 11 candidates applied.

For Dong-gu (1 seat), Kim Youngsun and Kim Heeseon applied; for Seo-gu (2 seats), Ko Seonran and Lim Sua; for Nam-gu (2 seats), Lee Mikyung and Choi Hyunsuk. For Buk-gu (2 seats), Park Eunjeong, Cho Hyunsuk, and Ha Sohui applied, while in Gwangsan-gu (2 seats), Lee Hyekyung and Lim Inseung submitted their applications.

The Gwangju City branch limited eligibility for the metropolitan council proportional representative recruitment to persons with disabilities and youth, and for the local council proportional representative recruitment to women and youth, in order to expand opportunities for socially disadvantaged groups and political newcomers to enter the assembly.

The Proportional Representative Candidate Recommendation Management Committee of the city branch plans to determine the candidates by conducting a comprehensive evaluation—including document screening and interviews—of morality, identity, contribution to the party, and legislative capabilities.

The youth sector of the metropolitan council proportional representative seat, for which recruitment was not conducted this time, will proceed through a separate application process after the nomination process for the persons with disabilities sector is completed.

A representative of the city branch stated, “We will conduct a fair and transparent review to recommend candidates who meet the expectations of Gwangju citizens and can devote themselves to the development of the local community.”

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