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

Democratic Party Candidates Declare Unification: Spotlight on 'Min Hyung-bae VS Anti-Min Hyung-bae' Rivalry

People Power Party, Green Justice Party, and Progressive Party All Field Candidates... General Election Fever Heats Up

The Gwangsan-gu (Eul) electoral district in Gwangju Metropolitan City, where Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who sparked controversy over a disguised party defection during the legislative process of the complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak), rejoined the party last April and is challenging for re-election, is heating up with as many as seven preliminary candidates registered with the Election Commission.

Due to the regional characteristic that "the Democratic Party primary is essentially the main election," the focus is on the Democratic Party primary, but candidates from other parties are also putting their utmost effort into capturing grassroots public sentiment.

From the left in the photo: Kim Seong-jin, Kim Yong-jae, Min Hyeong-bae, An Tae-wook, Jeon Ju-yeon, Jeong Jae-hyeok, Choi Chi-hyun, preliminary candidates. (In alphabetical order)

In particular, Democratic Party candidates other than the incumbent lawmaker have virtually declared unification, which is expected to be the biggest variable shaking up the election scene. The resulting "Min Hyung-bae vs. anti-Min Hyung-bae" dynamic has emerged as a key point of interest.

Incumbent lawmaker Min Hyung-bae, who holds the incumbent premium, served as the mayor of Gwangsan-gu during the 5th and 6th terms of direct elections from 2010 to 2018, earning a reputation for having a solid organization.

He is known as a "legislative worker" for his 100% attendance at National Assembly plenary sessions and standing committees, and has held important positions such as Democratic Party Special Committee on Prosecutorial Reform member, Chair of the National Social Economy Committee, and Deputy Floor Leader.

However, his departure from the Democratic Party to pass the prosecutorial reform bill known as Geomsu Wanbak has been criticized as a "disguised defection," which acts as an Achilles' heel. Also, as a representative pro-Lee Jae-myung faction member, Min's sharp criticism and checks against the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction have divided opinions, making this a crucial factor in the upcoming election.

In response, former Gwangju Technopark Director Kim Sung-jin, former Senior Presidential Secretary Jeong Jae-hyeok, and former Presidential Secretary Choi Chi-hyun have entered the competition for the Democratic Party nomination.

Kim Sung-jin, former Director of Gwangju Technopark, is a traditional bureaucrat and is known as a representative "economic expert." After passing the 33rd Administrative Examination, he held key positions such as Director of Jeonnam Regional Post Office, Head of the Economic Free Zone Planning Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and spokesperson for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Asian Dementia Research Foundation.

Based on the human network and expertise accumulated in central government ministries, he emphasizes revitalizing the regional economy and solving local issues.

Political newcomer Jeong Jae-hyeok, former Senior Presidential Secretary, boasts rich experience in national affairs, having served as a lawmaker’s aide and senior presidential secretary.

Last year, he was appointed Director of the Gwangju Innovation Economy Research Institute under the Gwangju Innovation Economy Forum, where he researched local issues and presented visions for regional development, building his recognition.

Former Presidential Secretary Choi Chi-hyun is also focusing on grassroots campaigning. Having served as Director of the Open Civil Complaints Office during the 5th and 6th terms of direct elections in Gwangsan-gu, he is known for his precise understanding of local issues. He also highlights his experience and connections from central government ministries, having served as a political planning secretary, social coordination secretary, social integration secretary at the Moon Jae-in presidential office, and policy advisor to the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

Recently, he has been prioritizing communication with residents and working tirelessly to solidify grassroots support.

From the People Power Party, Ahn Tae-uk, the head of the Gwangsan-eul party committee, has registered as a preliminary candidate. Ahn previously served as a National Assembly Policy Research Committee member and head of TBN Gwangju Traffic Broadcasting Headquarters.

Recently, Kim Yong-jae, former chairman of the Gwangju Network for Saving Small Merchants, has prepared to run under the Green Justice Party, an electoral alliance party of the Justice Party and the Green Party. He currently serves as director of the Circulatory Economy Research Institute and is making a second attempt following the last general election.

From the Progressive Party, former Gwangju City Council member Jeon Ju-yeon has thrown her hat into the ring. She is currently active as head of the Gwangsan branch of the Gwangju Bank Interest Rate Reduction Movement Headquarters.

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Kwon Eun-hee, who recently left the People Power Party, has made remarks suggesting she is considering running in the Gwangsan-gu (Eul) electoral district in Gwangju, drawing attention to her future moves.