Park Jie Won and Jung Chung Rae Shine as "Gwangju-Jeonnam Neighborhood Leaders"
"Free Drinks at Cafes"... Festive Mood Spreads Across Jeonnam
In the 21st presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung was elected president, with the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions playing a decisive role in his victory by recording unprecedented levels of support.
According to the National Election Commission on June 4, Jeonnam delivered an overwhelming support rate of 85.5% for President Lee Jae Myung in this election, with Wando County in particular recording the highest vote share in the country at 89.9%. Gwangju also showed a high support rate of 83.1%, demonstrating that the entire Honam region served as the absolute foundation for Lee Jae Myung's victory.
On the 4th, local figures in Wando came out to the streets to celebrate the election of President Lee Jae Myung and share their joy. Photo by Lee Jun Kyung
This near-unanimous support shown by Jeonnam goes beyond a simple election result, reflecting both the strong political will and high expectations of local voters. Residents of the province rallied behind President Lee Jae Myung, believing he is the right person to overcome the national crisis and address public anxieties about livelihoods. This became a key driving force that influenced the national election landscape.
Notably, Democratic Party figures from Gwangju and Jeonnam, who traveled throughout the region during the campaign to "embrace public sentiment," also stood out. Among them, Co-Chair Park Jie Won and Representative Jung Chung Rae (Seoul Mapo-eul) called themselves the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Neighborhood Leaders," actively campaigning from city centers to rural areas.
During the 22-day official campaign period, Chair Park visited all five districts of Gwangju and 22 cities and counties in Jeonnam, conducting a total of 50 campaign rallies and 104 "listening tours." His passionate efforts?meeting residents, listening to their voices, explaining policies, and appealing for support?defied his age of 83. He traveled a total of 15,002 kilometers during the campaign, stating, "Lee Jae Myung must be elected for democracy and the livelihoods of the people in Korea to be set right," and remained on the ground until the end.
In addition, Representatives Kim Won Yi (Mokpo), Joo Cheol Hyeon (Yeosu-gap), Shin Jung Hoon (Naju-Hwasun), and Seo Sam Seok (Yeongam-Muan-Shinan) also held joint regional rallies, systematically consolidating local support. Furthermore, heads of basic local governments, metropolitan and basic council members, and volunteers across Jeonnam participated spontaneously, creating a heated atmosphere on the ground.
On this day, Chair Park stated, "The election of President Lee Jae Myung is a victory for the great people. I especially thank the residents of Haenam, Wando, and Jindo for achieving the highest combined vote share and turnout in the country," adding, "I will repay you by ensuring the end of internal strife and the development of our hometown."
Once Lee Jae Myung's victory was confirmed, all of Jeonnam was swept up in a festive mood. Residents held hands and shared their joy from early morning, while pride filled local communities and social media with messages such as "We made the change" and "Jeonnam made it happen."
A self-employed person in their 50s, met at a cafe in Wando, said, "I am so happy that Lee Jae Myung was elected. It feels like the country has found hope again," adding, "I want to share this joy, so I am providing free drinks to all customers."
Meanwhile, an elderly resident in their 80s living in Haenam said, "I've had many gloomy days in my old age, but seeing Representative Park Jie Won, who is even older than me, actively campaigning gave me great courage. That's why my friends and I made sure to vote. Today is a day I can truly smile for the first time in a long while."
However, amid the celebratory mood, there were also sober voices. A female voter in her 40s living in Mokpo pointed out, "The election is over, but the real challenges begin now," adding, "There are mountains of issues to solve, including the economy, housing, welfare, and education." She emphasized, "I hope President Lee Jae Myung does not forget the expectations of the people and leads real change."
The support shown by Jeonnam residents in the 21st presidential election is more than just a voting result; it is a powerful wish for a better Korea and a driving force for change. President Lee Jae Myung's election is expected to not only instill pride and hope in Jeonnam residents, but also serve as a reminder of the essence of democracy: that the people move power.
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