41 Honam Regions, 68 Assembly Members Active as Accompanying Members
Chairman Jo Baesuk: "We Will Strive to Be Loved in Honam"
The People Power Party's Honam Accompaniment Special Committee for Members of the National Assembly has been launched. A total of 68 People Power Party members from 41 regions in Honam will serve as accompanying members. This is interpreted as the People Power Party, which has not been able to secure constituency members in Honam, implementing a 'westward advance policy' to shed its image as a Yeongnam party.
On the 30th, at the launch ceremony of the Honam Accompaniment Special Committee held at the National Assembly, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said, "In the last general election, the People Power Party fielded candidates in all regions of Honam for the first time in 16 years." He added, "I believe that itself holds great significance and shows that the People Power Party is sincere about Honam and genuine about harmony." He continued, "With that spirit, 68 members have gathered," emphasizing, "We will stand together with Honam. We will stand together with the entire nation."
Jo Bae-sook, a People Power Party member serving as the chairperson of the Accompaniment Special Committee, said, "I think this is a meaningful event that shows the public the People Power Party's interest and passion for Honam," adding, "As chairperson, I will take good care of the (accompanying) members and work hard so that we can be loved in Honam. Furthermore, we will create a foundation for healthy national development by achieving political and regional balance."
The Accompaniment Special Committee began serious discussions after Leader Han responded to Representative Jo's request in August and was established as part of the People Power Party's expansion efforts and westward advance policy. During the 21st National Assembly, the People Power Party also operated a Honam Accompaniment Member system, centered on former member Jeong Un-cheon, who held a second constituency in the Honam region.
The Accompaniment Special Committee appointed a total of 68 members as accompanying members, assigning nine members including Kwon Seong-dong and Yoon Sang-hyun to Gwangju Metropolitan City and 23 members to Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province. Each member will oversee not only their own constituency issues but also the budget and issues of the Honam accompaniment regions.
The launch ceremony was also attended by Kang Ki-jung, mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City; Kim Kwan-young, governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province; and Kim Young-rok, governor of Jeonnam Province.
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