[Report] Ruling Party's Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Candidate Min Hyung-bae: "I Will Not Forget the Citizens' Mandate"

Announcement of Democratic Party Gwangju City Primary Results
Celebration and Disappointment at Each Candidate’s Campaign Office
Min Hyungbae: "I Will Establish a Jeonnam-Gwangju Citizen-Sovereignty Government"

The announcement of the Democratic Party of Korea primary results, signaling the historic launch of the 'Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City'—the first administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam in 40 years—was a scene in which palpable tension and almost festive anticipation mingled in the air, like the calm before a storm.

On the afternoon of the 14th, candidate Min Hyungbae of the Democratic Party and supporters are celebrating his primary victory at the campaign office for the Integrated Special Mayor of Jeonnam and Gwangju. Photo by Min Hyun-ki

On the afternoon of April 14, a large crowd gathered in front of the campaign office of preliminary candidate Min Hyung-bae as everyone awaited the final announcement of the primary winner. Although the official announcement was scheduled for 6:15 p.m., the atmosphere had already heated up an hour earlier. By 5 p.m., supporters and reporters had filled every spot in the nearby parking lot, and cars unable to find parking lined the surrounding alleyways—evidence of the high local interest in this primary.

Inside the campaign office, the tension was palpable. Supporters and staff, packed in front of a giant screen, anxiously checked their watches and swallowed nervously. But it was not only a heavy silence that filled the space. Those who had braved the elements for months preparing for the primary clasped each other’s rough hands. Some offered quiet encouragements, saying, “You’ve really worked hard,” and in response, warm smiles and nods could be seen throughout the room.

Rather than fatigue from a fierce primary, the air was dominated by a sense of anticipation tinged with confidence in victory. One supporter, Mr. Kim (54), said, “This is the first election since Jeonnam and Gwangju became one, so it holds special meaning. I believe that the sincerity Min has shown will surely lead to victory.”

As 6 p.m. approached, the campaign staff became increasingly busy, and the noise in the room gradually subsided. When a signal announcing the results appeared on the TV screen, some supporters clasped their hands in prayer. Candidate Min, who had been calmly waiting with a tense expression, met the eyes of supporters one by one, receiving their encouragement as he awaited his fate.

At 6:15 p.m., as the voice from the speakers connected to the screen announced, “The ballot results: Min Hyung-bae,” the mood shifted instantly. The room erupted in cheers and applause. Shouts of “We won!” rang out, and some supporters hugged each other, shedding tears of joy.

On site, more than 100 supporters and key figures, including Assemblyman Ju Cheolhyeon, joined in chanting “Min Hyung-bae,” creating a festive atmosphere. Min, who had maintained a tense expression throughout, finally breathed a sigh of relief and broke into a bright smile. After shaking hands with those by his side, he raised both arms in the air toward his supporters, savoring the moment of victory.

Immediately after his victory was confirmed, Min expressed his gratitude to supporters and affirmed his strong commitment to the development of the newly integrated special city.

In a statement released right after his nomination was confirmed, Min Hyung-bae declared, “These results are a solemn mandate from the sovereign citizens to awaken a stagnant Jeonnam-Gwangju and to enact real changes in their lives. I will never forget that mandate, not even for a moment.”

He continued, “I will firmly establish a ‘Jeonnam-Gwangju Citizen-Sovereignty Government’ where citizens are truly in charge. I will revitalize stagnant industries and create good jobs, building a vibrant city where young people choose to stay.”

Kim Young-rok’s Campaign Office: “We Heard It Was Neck and Neck, So It’s Disappointing”

On the afternoon of the 14th, at the election campaign office of Kim Yeong-rok, the preliminary candidate for the integrated special market of Jeonnam Gwangju in Gwangcheon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, a moderator announced the results of the Democratic Party of Korea's Gwangju City Party primary. Photo by Min Chanki

Around the same time, at the campaign office of Kim Young-rok, the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidate for the integrated mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju in Gwangcheon-dong, Seo-gu, about 200 supporters kept their eyes glued to the monitors, waiting for the Gwangju City Party's official primary results. As they waited, many speculated about who would win, with most saying, “Kim Young-rok will win,” though their faces showed clear signs of anxiety.

Before the announcement, supporters chanted the candidate’s name, pledging victory. When the Gwangju City Party began announcing the results, supporters shushed each other to listen. However, perhaps due to an audio transmission error, the results could not be heard at the campaign office, leaving supporters confused and asking, “So who won?”

The announcement, which lasted about a minute, ended, and as soon as the host said, “Candidate number one, Min Hyung-bae, has been selected as the candidate,” the hopeful expressions of supporters turned to disappointment. Sighs and groans spread throughout the group.

Just moments before, the campaign office had been filled with hope for victory, but it fell silent, and supporters left the building with somber faces. One supporter remarked, “I heard the race was neck and neck right up to the end, so I had high hopes, but in the end, it’s disappointing to have lost the primary.”

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