Min Hyungbae and Joo Cheolhyun Announce Unification... Democratic Party Integrated Special Mayoral Primary Reshaped into Three-Way Race

Joo Cheolhyun Announces Withdrawal from Candidacy, Declares Official Support for Min Hyungbae

Min Hyungbae Pledges Roadmap for Balanced Development Across Eastern, Western, and Gwangju Regions

Min Hyungbae, Shin Junghoon, and Kim Youngrok to Begin Citizen Participation Primary from April 3 to 5

The primary race for the Democratic Party of Korea's Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayoral candidate has been reshaped following the unification of candidates. After Joo Cheolhyun withdrew from the race and announced his support for Min Hyungbae, the main primary has been reorganized into a three-way contest.

On the morning of April 1, at the Convention Center of the Yeosu World Expo, candidates Min Hyungbae and Joo Cheolhyun held a press conference and declared, "We are announcing our unification of candidacy based on shared values and policy solidarity for the successful launch of the integrated special city and a major industrial and economic transformation."

On the morning of the 1st, at the convention center of the Yeosu Expo in Jeollanam-do, Min Hyungbae and Joo Cheolhyun, candidates in the Democratic Party's special primary election for the unified mayor of Jeonnam and Gwangju, raised their hands in celebration after announcing their unification under candidate Min. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Joo stated, "I am stepping down as a candidate, entrusting my long-held dream of a great leap forward for Jeonnam and Gwangju to Min Hyungbae," and added, "I will devote all the support and expectations directed at me to help secure a victory for candidate Min."

Min pledged to expand on Joo's pledges and vision, vowing not to neglect the issue of regional marginalization, including the eastern part of Jeonnam. He also promised to leverage the strengths of each region—east, west, and Gwangju. Furthermore, he stated, "I will present an integrated roadmap covering all areas, including industrial policy, transportation and infrastructure, education and welfare, agriculture and fisheries, climate and environment, and youth and future jobs," and "I will lay the foundation for a 'citizen-sovereign integrated special city' where citizens participate and evaluate."

Min further emphasized, "Joo Cheolhyun's dream will become Min Hyungbae's dream, and Joo's vision will become my pledge," adding, "I will unite the hopes of the eastern region, the aspirations of the west, the dreams of Gwangju, and the urgent needs of Jeonnam."

With this unification, the Democratic Party of Korea's Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special Mayoral primary has been reorganized into a three-way race among Min Hyungbae, Shin Jung-hoon—who unified with Kang Gi-jung—and Kim Young-rok.

The three candidates will compete in the main primary from April 3 to 5, using a citizen participation system that reflects 50% of votes from party members and 50% from public opinion polls. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held from April 12 to 14 to determine the final candidate.

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