Mokpo Mayor Candidate Kim Jong-sik Promises to Launch 'Citizen Grand Unity Committee' to Mend Public Sentiment

Kim "We Will Create a Great Mokpo Era Through Coexistence and Integration"

Incumbent candidate Kim Jong-sik running for re-election as Mokpo mayor. Photo by Kim Jong-sik Mokpo mayor candidate camp.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Seunghyun] Kim Jongsik, candidate for mayor of Mokpo, Jeonnam, promised to launch a Citizens' Grand Unity Committee to reconcile the divided local public sentiment caused by the June 1 local elections and promote coexistence.

On the 26th, Kim's campaign team stated, "If Kim is re-elected upon the call of the citizens, he will launch a Citizens' Grand Unity Committee, encompassing key figures from various sectors and civic groups, as the first policy of the 8th local government administration, aiming for 'integration and coexistence.'"

This is seen as a preemptive measure in response to growing concerns in the local political circles that "there has never been an election like this one, filled with negativity, mutual slander, and black propaganda on SNS, which has completely split the local public sentiment, causing serious aftereffects."

Candidate Kim Jongsik expressed a strong will to act, saying, "Further negativity and slander will not help Mokpo's development even after the election ends," and "Based on the Grand Unity Committee, I will cultivate coexistence and integration to open a great era for Mokpo."

First, Kim declared, "Under the grand theme of organizational innovation, I will carry out a large-scale organizational restructuring. Through this, I raised the integrity rating, which had fallen to grade 5, up to grade 2 during the 7th local government administration, and in the 8th administration, I will raise it one step further to establish grade 1."

Additionally, Kim promised, "I will proceed with all projects that have divided public opinion in the local community through a public discussion process via the Citizens' Grand Unity Committee."

Lastly, Kim urged an immediate stop to illegal and unlawful acts, saying, "At the end of the election, the indiscriminate distribution of leaflets reminiscent of the 5th Republic era must finally cease."

He added, "A new wave of change is coming to Mokpo. A new hopeful Mokpo! If you invest your precious vote in me for Mokpo's future, I will surely return it with interest as a 'bigger Mokpo, a more prosperous Mokpo,'" appealing for support.