Lee Byunghun Holds Book Launch Talk Concert and Presents Vision for Gwangju

First Major Event Following Lee's Indication to Run for Gwangju Mayor

Lee Byunghun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party's Honam Development Special Committee, held a talk concert at the Kim Daejung Convention Center in Gwangju on the 6th to commemorate the publication of his book, "The Region Must Be Strong for Korea to Survive."

On the 6th, Lee Byunghun, senior vice chairman of the Democratic Party's Honam Development Special Committee, speaking at a talk concert. Photo by Lee Byunghun, Honam Development Special Committee senior vice chairman, Yonhap News Agency

This large-scale event took place after Lee indicated his intention to run for mayor of Gwangju last month, and is being interpreted as an announcement of his candidacy for the local elections. The event was attended by Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung, Seo Samsuk, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party and Chairman of the Honam Development Special Committee, Yang Bunam, Chairman of the Democratic Party’s Gwangju City Chapter, as well as National Assembly members Lee Gaeho, Shin Jeonghun, Cho Incheol, and Park Kyuntaek, along with figures from politics, academia, civil society, culture, and religion.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, sent a congratulatory video message, recalling how Lee was the first to speak out against the injustice when the arrest motion for party leader Lee Jaemyung was submitted to the National Assembly in 2023.

Drawing on his experience in public service, Lee presented ideas and solutions to remodel Gwangju's future, including the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation industries, the development direction of the Gwangju Job Model, and the second phase of the cultural city initiative. He began his public career by passing the civil service exam and went on to serve at the Blue House, Jeollanam-do Provincial Government, the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and as Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy of Gwangju. In the 21st National Assembly, he represented Gwangju Dongnam-eul.

He stated, "The Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party, both born out of a turning point in the history of democracy, have brought new opportunities and challenges to Gwangju. We must seize this golden opportunity with everything we have."