Seogidong Former Gurye County Governor Not Supporting Any Candidate... Do Not Drag Him Into the Election

Seogidong Gurye-gun Governor

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Ahead of next year's local elections, as the Democratic Party mayoral candidates in Gurye-gun have started their activities against the current mayor Kim Soon-ho, various noises have arisen, showing signs of an overheated election battle. In this context, former Gurye-gun mayor Seo Gi-dong strongly stated, "Do not drag me into the local elections."

This is because rumors have spread in Gurye-gun that former mayor Seo Gi-dong is supporting and encouraging Mr. A, who retired as a Gurye-gun official in February and is preparing to run for mayor.

A Gurye-gun resident, Mr. B, said, "One of the reasons it is already getting noisy ahead of the local elections is the rumor that former mayor Seo, who served three terms, is supporting a specific candidate," adding, "I hope there would be no such talk about a three-term mayor in the local elections."

Regarding this, former mayor Seo said, "I am not helping any specific candidate; I am just observing," and added, "I have no interest."

He continued, "Those who say such things are people who think ill of me," and said, "As a genuine Democratic Party member, I am watching with interest," and firmly stated, "Do not say such things trying to drag me into the local elections."

Former mayor Seo was born in 1949 and is 73 years old this year. He served as the 40th, 41st, and 42nd mayor of Gurye-gun.

Having reached the term limit as a three-term mayor, he handed over the position to the current mayor Kim Soon-ho, who won the local election in June 2018.

A Gurye-gun resident, Mr. C, said, "Looking at politics these days, I feel there are no elders," and added, "In this era when elders are needed, I hope former mayor Seo remains as an elder of the region, the Democratic Party, and local politics."

Meanwhile, Mr. A, who is known to be preparing to run for mayor, dismissed the rumor that former mayor Seo encouraged his candidacy as "groundless."

He added, "Former mayor Seo was my superior during my public service career. Trust was built in that relationship, and since I have expressed my intention to run for mayor, if I work hard, not only former mayor Seo but others will also support me," and said, "It seems such parts have been distorted."

As next year's local elections approach, it is a time to be cautious of rumors, black propaganda, and negative campaigning that noisily spread, dividing the region and driving the election into chaos.

Former mayor Seo's cry of "Do not drag me into the local elections" prevented a situation that could have easily fallen into a controversy over a shadow ruler.

Along with this, as if responding to the resident's remark that "there seem to be no elders in the region," former mayor Seo corrected the rampant rumors as an elder of the region.