Chairwoman Shin Sujeong of Gwangju Metropolitan Council to Hold "Sujeong Shin’s Sincerity" Book Launch on the 25th

To Be Held on January 25 at Pung-hyang Culture Hall, Gwangju National University of Education
A Chronicle of 20 Years in Grassroots Politics and a Blueprint for the Region’s Future

Promotional Poster for Sujeong Shin's Book Launch Event. Courtesy of Chairman Sujeong Shin's Office

Chairwoman Shin Sujeong of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council has published her book, "Sujeong Shin’s Sincerity," which chronicles her 20-year journey in grassroots politics and her vision for the future of the city. A book launch event will be held at 3 p.m. on January 25 at the Pung-hyang Culture Hall of Gwangju National University of Education.

This book launch event is intended to go beyond simply introducing the personal record of a politician. It is designed as a forum for public discussion where residents can meet directly, revisit the realities of the region, and jointly consider and plan the future of Buk-gu and Gwangju. Through her book, Chairwoman Shin aims to share her accumulated insights with citizens and discuss the structural challenges and solutions facing the community.

From her days as a social worker in the field, to serving three terms as a Buk-gu council member, two terms as a city council member, and ultimately becoming the first female chair of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council in its 34-year history, Chairwoman Shin has consistently pursued politics with the principle that "the answer lies in the field."

"Sujeong Shin’s Sincerity" is a record that translates the lives of residents, institutional limitations, and structural issues of the city encountered along the way into the language of everyday politics. It also raises questions for the next stage.

The book is divided into two main parts. Part 1, "Correcting (修正) the World," covers 20 years of grassroots politics, from her early days as a freshman council member measuring the height of playground slides with a tape measure out of concern for children's safety, to standing with citizens in the harsh winter of the 12·3 Coup to defend democracy in the public square. It documents her "sincerity" proven in the field.

Part 2, "Making the City Shine Like Crystal (水晶)," reflects on the weight of responsibility she bore as the first female chair of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, and diagnoses urgent issues facing Gwangju such as the fiscal crisis, waste management crisis, and local autonomy. Looking toward her political home of Buk-gu, she presents a vision for "rebuilding" the city by breaking old frameworks and starting anew.

In her remarks on the publication, Chairwoman Shin stated, "Politics does not stop at explaining the past; it is about preparing for and taking responsibility for the future." She added, "I hope this book launch event will be an opportunity to reassess the realities of our region together with residents and to design the next 10 years of Buk-gu and Gwangju together."

The book launch event will take the form of a talk concert, sharing the author’s background and the core messages of the book. Any citizen interested in the future of the region is welcome to attend.