Gwangju and Jeonnam Governors Demand Resignation of Yoon for Undermining National Dignity

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong Attends Emergency National Assembly
Jeonnam Governor Kim Youngrok Cancels Japan Business Trip

Mayor Kang Ki-jung of Gwangju attending the Gwangju Citizens' Emergency National Assembly on the morning of the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok on the 4th called for President Yoon Seok-yeol to take responsibility and step down, saying that his declaration of martial law "has instantly destroyed the dignity of the Republic of Korea."

Mayor Kang attended the emergency national crisis rally held at the May 18 Democratic Square in Gwangju and stated, "We will hold those responsible for the actions of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration accountable and fight together until the day they step down."

He continued, "The citizens of Gwangju and the entire nation stayed awake all night in shock and anger. Now, only holding those responsible remains. The night of martial law has passed, and the time of judgment has come."

Mayor Kang urged resignation, saying, "We, who remember and have learned from the pain of May 1980, can neither tolerate nor agree with this situation. I believe responsibility must be demanded for this situation."

He also appealed for citizens' participation, stating, "It was possible to overcome the pain of May with the entire nation and to brilliantly blossom the May 18 movement and make Gwangju known to the world because we united and fought a mature struggle for democracy."

Following a joint meeting with the heads of the five districts, civil society, and universities the previous day, Mayor Kang is scheduled to attend an emergency national crisis meeting hosted by the Democratic Party at the National Assembly in the afternoon.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, presiding over an emergency issue meeting on the morning of the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok held an urgent issue meeting in the morning and said, "All public officials should not be shaken by the current situation and must carry out their main duties without disruption."

Governor Kim emphasized, "The declaration of martial law this time is truly shocking and devastating. It is a regression to the military regime era before 1980, when democracy was in ruins, and it has instantly destroyed the dignity of the Republic of Korea built over decades."

He added, "It is fortunate that martial law has been lifted. We must continue to protect the Republic of Korea and democracy, which were built with the blood and sweat of the people, with our own hands. I hope the residents will also maintain their respective positions in their workplaces and, considering the gravity of the current situation, unite to ensure that the constitutional values of the Republic of Korea are upheld."

Meanwhile, Governor Kim was originally scheduled to depart for Japan on the same day to attend the Korea-Japan Strait Coastal Provinces Governors' Exchange Meeting but plans to send the deputy governor instead and manage current issues.