[22nd General Election Candidates] Gwangsan-gu (Gap), Gwangju Metropolitan City

'Incumbent Lawmaker' Yong-bin Lee VS 'Party Leader Legal Special Advisor' Kyun-taek Park Draw Attention in Democratic Party Primary

Former Gwangju City Party Chairman Jung-hyun Kim and Progressive Party Co-Leader Hee-sung Jung Also Prepare

The Gwangsan-gu (Gap) electoral district in Gwangju Metropolitan City is bustling with activity as candidates prepare for the 22nd National Assembly election to be held on April 10. Incumbent Lee Yong-bin of the Democratic Party of Korea, who aims to retain his seat, Park Gyun-taek, the Democratic Party's legal special advisor and former party representative, who seeks to reclaim it, and Jeong Hee-seong, co-representative of the Progressive Party and former chairman of the People Power Party's Gwangju Metropolitan City branch, have all registered early as preliminary candidates and are actively campaigning.

Given the local characteristic that "the Democratic Party primary is essentially the main election," the race between Lee Yong-bin and Park Gyun-taek for the Democratic Party nomination is a focal point of interest.

From the left in the photo: Kim Jeong-hyun, Park Gyun-taek, Lee Yong-bin, Jeong Hee-seong, preliminary candidates. (In alphabetical order)

Preliminary candidate Lee Yong-bin won his first term in the 21st general election and is now aiming for re-election. A former medical doctor, he served as the Democratic Party's floor deputy leader and spokesperson during Song Young-gil's tenure as party leader.

He is particularly recognized for his legislative efforts benefiting Gwangju, including the amendment of the special law on the relocation of Gwangju military airport, the law concerning the treatment and establishment of organizations for May 18 Democratic Movement merit recipients, and the Overseas Koreans Inclusion Act.

However, he faces risks due to persistent rumors linking him to the 2021 Democratic Party convention cash envelope distribution scandal. Last year, the prosecution released a list of lawmakers suspected of attending meetings where cash envelopes were distributed, and Lee was included. He has denied the allegations as "groundless."

Park Gyun-taek, a former high-ranking prosecutor known as "Lee Jae-myung's shield," has also been extremely busy since registering as a preliminary candidate.

During the Moon Jae-in administration, he was known as a "prosecutorial reform gunman" and currently serves as legal special advisor to party leader Lee Jae-myung. A veteran prosecutor with extensive experience in investigations and legal administration, he is well-versed in both theory and practice and is reputed for his gentle leadership and strong trustworthiness.

He is also described as a candidate with a warm, approachable personality, characterized by his unique modesty, calmness, and quiet leadership.

From the People Power Party, former Gwangju Metropolitan City Party Chairman Kim Jeong-hyun has registered as a preliminary candidate and is dedicating himself to grassroots campaigning. He is directly pursuing the party's goal of securing at least one National Assembly seat in Gwangju.

During his tenure as Gwangju City Party Chairman, Kim increased his recognition and earned acknowledgment for his achievements in resolving local issues such as attracting the National Gwangju Youth Treatment and Rehabilitation Center and creating the Songjeong Station plaza, as well as securing regional government budgets.

From the Progressive Party, co-representative Jeong Hee-seong has completed preparations to run. He also serves as head of the Gwangsan Gap Movement Headquarters for Gwangju Bank interest rate reductions and as regional chairman of the Progressive Party's Gwangju City Party for Gwangsan-gu Gap.

The Gwangsan Gap district includes Songjeong 1 and 2-dong, Dosan-dong, Sinheung-dong, Eoryong-dong, Usan-dong, Unnam-dong, Donggok-dong, Wolgok 1 and 2-dong, Samdo-dong, Bonryang-dong, and Pyeong-dong areas.