Min Hyungbae Launches ‘Jeonnam-Gwangju Great Transition Election Committee’…“We Will Achieve Overwhelming Growth”

Chung Cheongrae: "The Ideal Candidate for Integrated Mayor, Inheriting the Democratic Spirit of Kim Dae-jung and the Pragmatic Philosophy of Lee Jaemyung"

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Min Hyungbae, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for the integrated special mayor of Jeonnam and Gwangju, launched his election committee on May 10, officially kicking off his general election campaign. With Democratic Party of Korea Representative Chung Cheongrae, local lawmakers from Gwangju and Jeonnam, and key figures from civil society in attendance, Min emphasized his vision for an “Overwhelming Growth, Greater Jeonnam-Gwangju,” highlighting plans for an integrated special city centered on AI, semiconductors, and future industries.

On the afternoon of May 10, Min held a launching ceremony for the “Jeonnam Gwangju Great Transition Election Countermeasures Committee” at the Gwangju Min-sim Campaign Office.

The event was attended by Democratic Party of Korea Representative Chung Cheongrae; lawmakers Park Ji-won, Seo Samseok, Kwon Hyangyeop, Kim Moonsu, Park Kyuntaek, Ahn Dogeol, Jeon Jinsook, Jeong Junho, Jeong Jinwook, Jo Gye-won, and Jo Incheol; as well as approximately 200 representatives from civil society, labor, industry, youth, and the arts from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions.

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae attended the opening ceremony of former Jeonnam Gwangju Unified Special Mayor candidate Min Hyung-bae's election office in Seo-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 10th and greeted candidate Min. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In his congratulatory remarks, Representative Chung Cheongrae described Min Hyungbae as “the ideal candidate for integrated special mayor of Jeonnam and Gwangju, embodying the democratic spirit of Kim Dae-jung, the spirit of national unity of Roh Moo-hyun, the spirit of Korean Peninsula peace of Moon Jae-in, and the pragmatic philosophy of Lee Jaemyung.” He added, “The Democratic Party of Korea and the Lee Jaemyung administration will not let Min Hyungbae stand alone.” Chung further urged, “Let every party member and supporter unite with the mindset of ‘I am Min Hyungbae,’” stressing the significance of a new chapter in Jeonnam-Gwangju integration.

In his speech, Min recalled, “In May 1980, we defended democracy by shedding blood under the guns and swords of the new military regime, but what we received in return was the divisive rule of the Chun Doo-hwan administration. For a long time, Jeonnam and Gwangju, though sharing the same roots, have had to compete for budgets, projects, talent, and opportunities.”

He continued, “Now, the time has come to seize the opportunity to leap forward as a major growth engine that will transform the Republic of Korea. I will ensure an economic breakthrough where companies flock to the region and AI, semiconductors, future vehicles, and data industries thrive.”

Min also pledged, “Key decisions in city administration will be transparently disclosed to the public, and citizens' voices will be directly reflected in budgeting, human resources, and policy, establishing a citizen-sovereign government. I will lead from the front and listen from the grassroots.”

Min Hyungbae, the Democratic Party candidate for the integrated mayor of Jeonnam and Gwangju, is speaking at the launching ceremony of the 'Jeonnam Gwangju Great Transition Election Countermeasures Committee' held at the Gwangju Minshim Camp office on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by Song Bohyun

The campaign committee is structured around three pillars: “Citizen Sovereignty, Future Leap, and One Team.” Min’s team explained that they adopted a horizontal “Sabal Tongmun” model, enabling any citizen to propose and participate in the implementation of initiatives, and applied this approach to the committee’s operations.

Among the newly appointed members, the addition of Samsung Electronics Executive Advisor Joo Eunki, formerly a Vice President at Samsung Electronics, as Special Economic Advisor drew particular attention. Min personally presented Joo with the appointment letter, stating, “He understands the language of business and the pace of the industrial field better than anyone else. Together, we will design a Jeonnam-Gwangju Great Transition strategy centered on AI, energy, and future industries.”

The co-chairs of the fundraising committee are Lee Gwangjae, Democratic Party of Korea candidate for the by-election in Hanam-gap, Gyeonggi Province; Jeong Seongtaek, former president of Chonnam National University; and Yang Dongho, chairperson of the Together Gwangsan Sharing Culture Foundation.

General permanent election committee co-chairs are Kim Won-i, Democratic Party of Korea Jeonnam Provincial Chair; Yang Bunam, Gwangju City Chair; lawmaker Joo Cheolhyeon; and Park Ki-young, professor at Suncheon National University. All local lawmakers from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, including Park Ji-won, will serve as permanent co-chairs.

Yoon Jusik, former National Assembly aide, was appointed as general situation chief; attorney Yang Eunsook was named head of the legal support team. Kim Daejung, former chief of staff of Gwangju City, will serve as chief of staff, and Yoon Nansil, former Blue House institutional reform secretary, will serve as chief spokesperson.

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