Kim Jaeyeon and Kang Seonghee Begin Presidential Campaign in Gwangju, Calling for Resolution of Insurrection

Kim Jae-yeon, the Standing Representative of the Progressive Party who declared an early run for president, and former lawmaker Kang Sung-hee visited Gwangju on the 10th, pledging to carry on the spirit of May 18 and to eradicate the forces of rebellion.

Progressive Party Standing Representative Kim Jaeyeon, who declared her candidacy for the presidential election, is speaking after paying respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

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After paying their respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, the two candidates officially began their regional campaign schedules. The Progressive Party plans to finalize its main candidate through a party-wide vote of its members from the 15th to the 19th.

Immediately after the visit, Representative Kim stated, "The dead helped the living to write a new history of the struggle for light," and added, "Now, we will take steps toward the complete eradication of the forces of rebellion and a new Republic of Korea, an equal republic." She continued, "The lightstick democracy that the citizens in the square longed for is the very aspiration for a new Republic of Korea," and pledged, "Progressive politics will fulfill that aspiration."

Former lawmaker Kang Sung-hee also emphasized, "The spirit of Yoon Sang-won and the spirit of May 18 must be completed by dissolving the People Power Party," and vowed, "I will take the lead on that path." He added, "Although Yoon Seok-yeol was brought down, the lives of ordinary people have not changed," and declared, "For real change, constitutional reform is necessary. During this presidential election, I will lay the foundation for constitutional reform for ordinary people, workers, and youth."

Kim Jaeyeon, Standing Representative of the Progressive Party (right), and former lawmaker Kang Seonghee are paying respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

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Representative Kim and former lawmaker Kang completed their registration as candidates for the Progressive Party primary the previous day. After holding a joint campaign event for the Honam region at the Gwangsan-gu Youth Center in the afternoon, they plan to continue their national campaign tour in Busan, Daejeon, Seoul, and other cities.

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