Growing Interest in June 3 Local Elections... Questions Surround Chairperson Shin Sujeong's Moves in Gwangju City Council

Held the "2025 Legislative Report Session" on the 28th
A strategic move ahead of next year's Buk-gu mayoral race
Disciplined by the party over the selection of the budget committee chair
Facing criticism for electioneering instead of restraint

With the June 3 local elections approaching next year, there is growing interest in the moves of politicians seeking to gain early momentum. In this context, Gwangju Metropolitan Council Chairperson Shin Sujeong has become the subject of much behind-the-scenes talk.

Various evaluations are emerging both within the party and from the broader community due to controversies that have arisen inside the Gwangju City Council. Nevertheless, Shin herself appears to be focusing solely on devising strategies for next year’s election.

In an environment where responsibility for political turmoil is being highlighted more than ever, there are calls for restraint and adherence to due process.

According to the local political scene on the 28th, Chairperson Shin held the "2025 Legislative Report Session" the previous day at the Donggang University gymnasium in Buk-gu, Gwangju, with over 2,000 people in attendance. The event was attended by Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Junho (Buk-gu Gap), as well as members of the Gwangju City Council, Buk-gu Council, and numerous local opinion leaders.

This event is seen as a strategic move in anticipation of running for the position of Buk-gu District Mayor in next year’s local elections.

At the event, Shin stated, "I have focused on legislative activities centered on people’s livelihoods and communication to create a sincere council that works with citizens and sees through their eyes."

Shin also pledged, "Good politics is not about wiping away citizens’ tears, but about ensuring they do not have to shed tears in the first place. I will not forget that the voices of citizens are the compass for my legislative work, and I will move forward toward tomorrow together with the citizens."

The issue, however, is sincerity. Shin did not offer a single word of reflection or apology for the "behind-closed-doors deal" that ignored both party policy and the will of the citizens.

Previously, on the 22nd, Shin was disciplined by the Gwangju City branch of the Democratic Party with a "one-month suspension of party duties" for violating party policy during the selection of chairs for the City Council’s Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.

At that time, along with Shin, Assemblyman Jeong Moochang (one year), Assemblywomen Lee Gwisoon and Kim Nayoon (six months each) received suspensions of party duties, while five other council members received written warnings. These disciplinary actions will be finalized after a review by the party’s central committee.

Despite the Democratic Party holding an overwhelming majority of seven out of nine committee members, the council caused a stir by electing an independent chairperson and a People Power Party vice chairperson through a secret ballot. The city branch of the Democratic Party defined this as a clear "act of party disloyalty."

This is why Shin’s reference to "good politics" in front of numerous supporters is being criticized as an empty slogan.

This also explains why the stern judgment of local voters eight months from now is considered so important.

The local political community continues to criticize the timing as "inappropriate."

Although some say it is merely a "procedural measure" with no impact on nominations, Shin effectively replaced a posture of restraint and reflection with what amounts to a declaration of candidacy for next year’s local elections, even before the ink on the disciplinary documents had dried.

In response, a local political figure commented, "While Shin speaks of the tears of Gwangju citizens, she turns a blind eye to her own wrongdoing that has betrayed the citizens’ political trust, displaying a double standard."

A representative of a civic group also remarked, "Citizens are watching with a critical eye as Shin hides behind a slap-on-the-wrist disciplinary action and continues her unrepentant political activities, questioning whether this is appropriate conduct for the head of a representative body such as the city council."

Multiple attempts were made to contact Chairperson Shin for comment on these matters, but she did not respond.