Gwangju Mayor-Elect Kang Ki-jung Announces First Appointments to Lead the 'New Gwangju Era'

Kim Kwang-jin, Former National Assembly Member, Appointed as Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kang Gijeong, the mayor-elect of Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced the first appointments to lead the new era of Gwangju in the 8th term of direct election on the 30th.

For the 8th term of direct election, Ando Geol, former 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, was appointed as the financial and economic advisor of Gwangju City, and Kim Gwangjin, former member of the National Assembly, was appointed as the first Cultural and Economic Vice Mayor of Gwangju City.

Jeon Eunok, head of the Aging Society Policy Division, was appointed as Chief Secretary, and Lee Munhye, team leader of the Organization Management Team, was appointed as Administrative Secretary. Notably, Lee Munhye, the new Administrative Secretary, was selected as the first female secretary in Gwangju City.

Mayor-elect Kang said, “Ando Geol, the appointee for Gwangju City’s financial and economic advisor, is a representative financial and budget expert from Honam with a special affection for his hometown and deep personal connections,” adding, “He will be a great asset for the new era of Gwangju in the changed political environment.”

He continued, “Kim Gwangjin, the appointee for Cultural and Economic Vice Mayor, has accumulated rich experience in the National Assembly and government, having served as a member of the National Assembly, Secretary-General of the Military Death Accident Investigation Committee, and secretary at the Blue House,” and said, “During his time as a member of the National Assembly, he secured a personal network on military and defense issues through his activities on the Defense Committee, so we expect him to play a major role in the relocation of the military airport, which is Gwangju’s biggest pending project.”

He also emphasized, “As a Blue House political secretary, he was involved in balanced development policies and local autonomy policies, and based on his experience as a youth secretary, I believe he is the right person to make Gwangju a city where young people want to stay, full of vitality, charm, and opportunities.”

Regarding Jeon Eunok, the appointed Chief Secretary, he explained, “During her time as policy planning team leader, she resolved the controversy over the re-lease of Lotte Mart World Cup branch and recovered 13 billion won, and was selected as a ‘boss people want to work with,’ earning strong trust in the public service community,” adding, “I think she is the right person to convey the opinions of the public service and citizens without distortion.”

Finally, about Lee Munhye, the Administrative Secretary, he said, “She knows the city organization better than anyone else and, as the first female administrative secretary of the secretariat, she is the right person to invigorate public officials and the organization.”

Mayor-elect Kang stated, “The core of this appointment is ‘connection, ability, and balance’: connection between the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, central government, National Assembly, and local governments; ability to secure budgets and plan policies; to invigorate youth and Gwangju-Jeonnam coexistence, organization, and personnel; and balance achieved by appointing a vice mayor and chief secretary in their 40s and the first female administrative secretary.”

He added, “I understand well the concerns of citizens that Gwangju’s development might fall behind due to changes in the political environment caused by the regime change,” and emphasized, “I believe this political environment can be an opportunity for Gwangju and Honam, and I will definitely nurture that opportunity together with public officials.”