Lee Byung-hoon: "Democratic Party Gwangju Branch Will Open Its Doors Wide to Members and Citizens"

Presentation of Three Major Visions at the Press Conference for Gwangju City Party Chairman Candidacy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Byung-hoon, a member of the National Assembly (Gwangju Dong-gu Nam-gu Eul) running for the chairman of the Democratic Party Gwangju Metropolitan City Party Committee, presented three major visions to overcome the crisis of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic Party's lethargy.

He also expressed his ambition to completely change the Gwangju City Party Committee, lead the transformation of the Democratic Party, judge the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, and achieve victory in the next general election.

At a press conference held on the 16th at the Gwangju Metropolitan Council Citizen Communication Office, Assemblyman Lee said, "I, Lee Byung-hoon, who have experience and achievements working for Gwangju as the first Vice Mayor of Culture and Economy and as a member of the National Assembly, will take responsibility and change the Gwangju City Party Committee."

He criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration as powerless and incompetent amid the global economic crisis caused by COVID-19, the war in Europe, and the geopolitical conflict between the U.S. and China, which has led Korea to face the triple waves of high inflation, high exchange rates, and high interest rates, emphasizing that "Ultimately, Gwangju must take the lead."

He presented three major visions for the Democratic Party to win the next general election and to regain power for the Democratic Party in the arms of Gwangju citizens.

Assemblyman Lee Byung-hoon emphasized that the Democratic Party must be transformed into a "strong Democratic Party" that embodies the "scholar's sense of problem" and the "merchant's sense of reality" as former President Kim Dae-jung said.

He stated, "We will not rely on any particular faction or power," adding, "I led the declaration of faction dismantling immediately after the presidential election, and I will continue to work for party unity."

He also promised to accept reform demands from party members at the city party level and establish a "Special Committee for Party Member-Centered Political Reform." This is seen as an inclusive measure to embrace the reform demands recently emerging within the Democratic Party.

He presented a vision to create a "Gwangju City Party Committee with party members" where the opinions of party members are actively reflected in the party affairs of the city party through a bottom-up approach.

He plans to actively incorporate party members' opinions into the city party's affairs, revamp the city party website as a communication channel with party members and citizens in cooperation with the central party, and operate transparently through regular accounting reports and the introduction of a real-name system for the city party secretariat.

Furthermore, he presented a vision to make the Gwangju City Party Committee a "party working for citizens" by taking the lead in solving local issues and establishing a rapid complaint handling system within the city party.

Assemblyman Lee said, "We must create a Democratic Party that looks ahead to the next 100 years of the Republic of Korea without being swayed by immediate victories or defeats," adding, "I, Lee Byung-hoon, who have experience and achievements working for Gwangju as the first Vice Mayor of Culture and Economy and as a member of the National Assembly, will take responsibility and change the Gwangju City Party Committee."