[Feature] Gwangju-Jeonnam 'Integrated Governor' Election Becomes Likely...Candidates Forced to Revise Strategies

June Election to Shift from "Two Metropolitan Regions" to "One Mega-Region"
Existing Landscape, Including Kang Gijung and Kim Youngrok, Rendered Obsolete
Strategic Nomination of Chief Policy Officer Kim Yongbeom Rapidly Gaining Attention
Concerns Rise Over Intensifying Conflicts Along Regional Lines

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, is unveiling the plaque of the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Planning Group" with attendees at the provincial office on the 5th. Provided by Jeonnam Province

As discussions on administrative integration between Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do accelerate, there is a growing possibility that the upcoming local elections in June will effectively be reorganized into an "integrated governor election." Analysts are increasingly suggesting that the entire electoral landscape of Gwangju and Jeonnam will be fundamentally reshaped.

It appears inevitable that the election strategies of incumbent officials, including Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, and Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, as well as other candidates who have been in fierce competition with them, will need to undergo significant revisions. The election landscape for June is being shaken up, with names such as Kim Yongbeom, Chief Presidential Policy Officer, who had previously only been mentioned in rumors, resurfacing in the conversation.

◇ From "Two Metropolitan Regions" to "One Mega-Region"

On January 5, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do officially launched the "Gwangju-Jeonnam Administrative Integration Promotion Planning Group." During this process, Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, and Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, strongly advocated for the passage of a special administrative integration law in the National Assembly by February and the election of an integrated governor, citing "region-led growth and a turning point for balanced national development" as their rationale. Their proposal is to transform the electoral landscape from "two metropolitan regions" into "one mega-region."

This is a markedly faster pace than in the past.

With Democratic Party politicians from Gwangju and Jeonnam, such as Park Jiweon, Jeong Junho, and Lee Gaeho, openly lending their support, there is a prevailing view that, unlike in the past, the likelihood of this integration being realized is high. This is also seen as partly reflecting the intentions of the Lee Jaemyung administration, which is pushing for a transition to a "five major regions and three special zones" system as part of its balanced national development initiative.

In particular, the integrated governor election is drawing attention because it represents not just a change in the election method, but a structural transformation in the scale of the election, the composition of the electorate, and overall campaign strategies. If the urban-centric election of Gwangju and the rural and island-focused election of Jeonnam are merged, it will be difficult to secure victory based solely on a specific regional base, as was possible in the past.

◇ Existing Major Candidates Face Complex Calculations...Gwangju and Jeonnam's Separate Survival Strategies Are Shaken

It has become inevitable that the main election strategies of leading candidates previously mentioned separately in Gwangju and Jeonnam will need to be completely revised.

In Gwangju, the incumbent Mayor Kang Gijung, as well as Assemblyman Min Hyeongbae, Buk-gu District Chief Moon In, and former Assemblyman Lee Byeonghun, have formed a competitive landscape. In Jeonnam, incumbent Governor Kim Youngrok, along with Assemblymen Shin Jeonghun, Joo Cheolhyeon, and Lee Gaeho, have been competing. These candidates have engaged in fierce battles of public opinion and organizational competition within their respective regions, sometimes engaging in sharp verbal clashes with each other.

However, if the integrated governor election is confirmed, this "separate survival competition" will lose its meaning. With the urban-centric election of Gwangju and the rural and island-focused election of Jeonnam being merged into one, it will no longer be possible to guarantee victory based solely on a specific regional base.

For politicians based in Gwangju, expanding their recognition and organizational presence throughout Jeonnam becomes an essential task, while candidates from Jeonnam must newly design policies and symbolism that resonate with Gwangju voters. The "balance between Gwangju and Jeonnam votes" is emerging as the biggest challenge, and any perception of favoritism toward one's place of origin could become a critical weakness.

◇ Will Chief Policy Officer Kim Yongbeom Become a Game-Changer?

The name of Chief Policy Officer Kim Yongbeom is once again circulating both inside and outside political circles. Kim is a key official in the presidential office, responsible for planning and coordinating the president's policy direction and overseeing the implementation of economic and social policies. He is particularly recognized for his strong understanding of global economic policy.

In fact, following the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, Kim played a practical role in the Korea-US tariff negotiations, successfully blocking additional market openings for rice and beef. This left a strong impression on citizens of Gwangju and Jeonnam.

Moreover, Kim, who hails from Muan in Jeonnam and graduated from Daedong High School in Gwangju, has ties to both regions.

Locally, there is a frank assessment that "currently, there is no capable candidate with both symbolic significance and national governance experience who can represent both Gwangju and Jeonnam." Kim's presence is being cited as a potential game-changer in the integrated governor election.

Although Kim has repeatedly stated that he is "not considering running for election," he has nonetheless been included among the leading candidates, whether by his own will or due to external circumstances.

◇ Fierce Competition for Democratic Party Nomination Inevitable

Given the political landscape in Gwangju and Jeonnam, where the Democratic Party holds an overwhelming advantage, the integrated governor election is expected to make the party's primary even more significant than the general election itself.

The main issue is the direction of the primary rules.

Within the party, fierce debates are expected over the method for the integrated Gwangju-Jeonnam primary, the ratio of party members to ordinary citizens, and whether to assign weighted votes by region. There is already open talk within the party that "the design of the primary itself can determine the outcome."

A local political figure commented, "The purpose of administrative integration is to fundamentally resolve the issue of regional extinction faced by local areas. In this case, electing an integrated governor is essential. However, during the integrated governor election process, various variables, such as whether the candidate is from Gwangju or Jeonnam, could influence the direction of votes. This could lead to new conflicts."

The official added, "With the push for administrative integration, there may also be calls for new innovation. The mention of Chief Policy Officer Kim Yongbeom's name should be understood in this context. Ultimately, the outcome of the integrated governor election will depend on the primary rules."