Gwangju Local Leaders and Superintendent Aim for 92.5% Voter Turnout in Presidential Election

Kang Gijeong and Other Elected Officials Encourage Voting Participation
Six Key Initiatives Proposed, Including Expansion of Absentee Polling Stations

Elected officials in the Gwangju region encouraged citizens to participate in voting on the first day of the official campaign for the 21st presidential election, which began on the 12th.

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, the heads of five district offices in Gwangju, and Gwangju Superintendent of Education Lee Jeongseon are holding a press conference to encourage citizens to vote in the presidential election to be held on June 3. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong, along with Im Taek, head of Dong-gu District; Kim Ikang, head of Seo-gu District; Kim Byeongnae, head of Nam-gu District; Moon In, head of Buk-gu District; Park Byeonggyu, head of Gwangsan-gu District; and Lee Jeongseon, Superintendent of Education for Gwangju, held a press conference in the briefing room at Gwangju City Hall on this day. They stated, "We hope that through this presidential election, the people will once again reaffirm the power of the sovereign," and added, "Gwangju will strive to achieve a record-high voter turnout of 92.5%."

They said, "The presidential election is an opportunity for the people to determine the future vision of the Republic of Korea, and it is a time to realize the fundamental principle of democracy: sovereignty belongs to the people." They continued, "The past 160 days, which have included martial law and impeachment, have been a process in which the people have proven that they are the true owners of this country."

Since the introduction of direct presidential elections, Gwangju has recorded the highest voter turnout in the nation in every election except the 16th, out of a total of eight presidential elections. In particular, during the 13th presidential election, Gwangju achieved its highest-ever voter turnout at 92.4%.

The six initiatives announced on this day to increase voter turnout are: expanding absentee polling stations, running voting campaigns targeting young people, ensuring voting rights for office workers, promoting first-time voter campaigns, providing benefits for citizens, and improving polling station accessibility.

They emphasized, "Gwangju is a city of democratic citizens who have faithfully exercised their political rights and duties in every election," and added, "We will continue to uphold the honor of being the city with the highest voter turnout."