[Breaking] Moonin, Buk-gu Mayor Who Announced Resignation for Gwangju Mayoral Bid, Withdraws Resignation

Citing Provincial Integration Talks, He Remains in Office
Not Abandoning Gwangju Mayoral Bid... Timing Adjusted

Moonin, Mayor of Buk-gu, Gwangju, has withdrawn his decision to resign. He has postponed his previously announced resignation date of January 8, which was intended for his candidacy in the Gwangju mayoral election, and has decided to remain in his current position.

According to Mayor Moon's office and the Buk-gu Council on January 7, Mayor Moon made the decision to retract his resignation after an internal meeting that afternoon. As a result, the retirement ceremony that was scheduled to be held at the Buk-gu Office plaza has also been postponed.

Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, Gwangju

In a statement released that day, Mayor Moon said, "As the crisis of local extinction becomes a reality, Gwangju and Jeonnam now stand at a critical historical turning point with the 'Gwangju-Jeonnam Provincial Integration.' This is not merely a matter of individual choice or judgment, but a collective challenge directly linked to the future of our region."

He continued, "I have determined that this is not the time to prioritize the personal future of the mayor, but rather an important moment to fully reflect the united voice of Buk-gu's 420,000 residents in the provincial integration discussions."

Mayor Moon added that he has consistently stated he would not cling to his position or personal interests if it was for the sake of provincial integration. However, he said, "I have taken seriously the concern that a vacancy in the mayor's office during this crucial period of intensified discussions could potentially marginalize the voices of residents and weaken the momentum of our region."

He went on to say, "Prioritizing the collective task of provincial integration over personal goals or career plans is the responsibility I must fulfill at this time. Therefore, to contribute to the successful promotion of provincial integration, I have decided to withdraw my previously announced resignation and devote myself to administrative integration."

The Buk-gu Council also received notification of Mayor Moon's position that afternoon and began a legal review to determine whether the withdrawal of the planned resignation is possible. According to the current Local Autonomy Act, a head of a local government must submit a written notice of resignation to the chairperson of the local council at least 10 days before the intended resignation date. Mayor Moon's resignation notice was accepted on December 30 of last year.

In his statement, Mayor Moon said, "Buk-gu is a community that has forged a path together with its residents through numerous crises. As mayor, I will fulfill my responsibilities and do my utmost to ensure that Buk-gu's role and the voices of its residents are faithfully reflected in the provincial integration process."

A representative from Mayor Moon's office stated, "This does not mean he is giving up his candidacy for the Gwangju mayoral election. Given the rapid progress in the Gwangju-Jeonnam administrative integration discussions, the timing of his resignation was adjusted to make a decision after observing the outcome of the luncheon between President Lee Jaemyung and local National Assembly members at the presidential office on January 9."