"June 3 Presidential Election Completes Democracy"
Gwangju City, Office of Education, and Autonomous Districts Hold Joint Press Conference
Participation Atmosphere Spreads Through Generation-Specific Encouragement
Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju; Lee Jungseon, Superintendent of Gwangju Office of Education; Lim Taek, Mayor of Dong District; Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo District; Kim Byeongnae, Mayor of Nam District; Moon In, Mayor of Buk District; and Park Byeonggyu, Mayor of Gwangsan District, held a press conference at the city hall briefing room on the morning of the 2nd, urging participation in the 21st presidential election voting. Photo by Gwangju City
With Gwangju City, the city Office of Education, and five autonomous districts jointly carrying out six key initiatives to encourage citizens to vote, officials are making a final push to boost voter participation on the eve of the 21st presidential election.
On June 2, Gwangju City held a joint press conference at the city hall briefing room. The event was attended by Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju; Lee Jungseon, Superintendent of the Gwangju Office of Education; Lim Taek, Mayor of Dong District; Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo District; Kim Byeongnae, Mayor of Nam District; Moon In, Mayor of Buk District; and Park Byeonggyu, Mayor of Gwangsan District.
During the press conference, officials encouraged citizens to participate in the presidential election just one day ahead of the main voting day and shared the achievements of the ongoing "Voting is Power" campaign.
In the early voting for this presidential election, the city recorded a turnout of 52.12%, which is 17.38 percentage points higher than the national average of 34.74%. Previously, on May 12, the city, the Office of Education, and the autonomous districts held a joint press conference to encourage citizen participation in voting and pledged "active administration toward Gwangju's highest-ever voter turnout of 92.5%... Six Key Pledges by Gwangju City, the Office of Education, and the Autonomous Districts."
The six key initiatives are designed to support more citizens in voting more conveniently and include: expanding absentee polling stations, encouraging youth voter participation, guaranteeing voting rights for workers, providing benefits to citizens who vote, ensuring accessibility of polling stations, and the "Pause for a Moment, First Vote in Life" campaign.
First, to assist citizens with mobility challenges, the city is actively promoting the expansion of absentee polling stations and the free operation of Saebit Call, a transportation service for those with limited mobility, to provide practical voting convenience. In addition, together with the presidents of 17 local universities, the city pledged to encourage university students and staff to vote and continued relay campaigns at Chonnam National University, Chosun University, and Gwangju Youth Center.
The city also worked with three major local economic organizations, labor unions, key companies and industrial complexes, as well as delivery and courier workers, to help create a flexible voting environment for workers. In cooperation with the Gwangju Small Business Association, the city is running discount events on bakery, food, and coffee, as well as the "June 3 Voting Bread" sharing sale in collaboration with the May Gwangju Sharing Sale (49 participating businesses).
To encourage voting among first-time voters, including 18-year-old high school students and others in the 10s and 20s age group, the city promoted the campaign through 68 representatives of high school student councils and the Gwangju Student Council Presidents' Association.
The city and autonomous districts conducted a comprehensive inspection of 357 polling stations and improved accessibility at 13 locations found to be lacking. By prioritizing first-floor installations, setting up temporary polling booths, and assigning guides, they are creating an environment where all citizens can vote conveniently. On the main voting day, a "Voting and Ballot Counting Support Situation Room" will be operated to ensure voters' rights are protected.
Mayor Kang Gijeong stated, "You have worked so hard to prevent martial law, to raise the light sticks of impeachment, and to protect the public square from far-right forces. Now, for the completion of democracy, I ask citizens to cast the final mark with their votes. For those who have already voted, please encourage others to vote. For those who have not yet voted, please take part. As always, Gwangju will once again show its strength as a city that protects democracy together with voting citizens." <End>
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