[6.3 Election] Via-dong Electoral District ‘Swing’ Repeats... Confusion Over Discrepancy Between Metropolitan and Local Councils

Gwi-Soon Lee: "Residents Must Not Be Treated as Political Accessories...
Criteria Should Be Reestablished Based on Living Zones"

Concerns are growing over increasing confusion and backlash among residents regarding the method of electoral district delineation surrounding Via-dong in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Gwi-Soon Lee, Member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council (The Minjoo Party of Korea, Gwangsan District 4), stated that the current structure, in which metropolitan and local council electoral districts are grouped differently, ignores the realities of daily life and called for a reestablishment of the district criteria.

Councilor Lee expressed strong regret, noting that the recently finalized local council electoral district plan is exacerbating confusion and a sense of alienation among Via-dong residents. She remarked, "For several years, Via-dong has repeatedly experienced 'political transience,' being shifted from one electoral district to another every election," and pointed out, "The arbitrary redrawing of districts without resident input is a serious issue that shakes the very foundation of the community."

Gwi-Soon Lee, Gwangju City Council Member.

She added, "Residents I have met on site are expressing anger, asking, 'Are we mere parts to be attached or detached according to political needs?' and are appealing for this issue to be conveyed to the central authorities," emphasizing, "This is more than a simple inconvenience; it is a desperate outcry that the region's identity and autonomy are being disregarded."

Councilor Lee explained that the structure, in which metropolitan and local council electoral districts are different in the latest plan, is amplifying resident confusion. She criticized, "Via-dong residents must vote with the Cheomdan and Suwan areas for metropolitan council elections, but with Shinga and Shinchang for local council elections. It is difficult to accept that residents of the same area are subject to different criteria every election, and this ultimately undermines voters' rights."

She further emphasized, "Electoral district delineation should be based on the lives of citizens, not the interests of those in power," and stressed the need to fundamentally reestablish criteria that prioritize geographic proximity, living zones, and cultural homogeneity above all else.

Councilor Lee stated, "The sense of alienation and deprivation felt by Via-dong residents can no longer be ignored," and asserted, "The voices of residents must be clearly delivered to central and relevant authorities, and residents' opinions must be meaningfully reflected in the future redelineation process."

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