Moonin Reverses Resignation, Applies for Basic Local Government Head Review

Effectively Signaling a Third-Term Bid
Criticism Grows Over Weakening Political Justification

Moonin, Mayor of Buk-gu, Gwangju. Provided by Buk-gu, Gwangju

Moonin, Mayor of Buk-gu, Gwangju, who had hinted at running for Mayor of Gwangju and even submitted his resignation, has suddenly applied for a preliminary qualification review to run for re-election as a basic local government head, sparking controversy. Critics are raising concerns that, contrary to his earlier declaration that he would not seek a third term, he is in fact making a political reversal.

According to local political circles and Mayor Moonin on January 20, his camp submitted an online application for a preliminary qualification review for the position of basic local government head to the Gwangju City branch of the Democratic Party of Korea on this day. It was confirmed that he has withdrawn his previous application to the party headquarters for the metropolitan government head (Mayor of Gwangju) review.

Previously, Mayor Moonin had expressed his intention to run for Mayor of Gwangju and even submitted a resignation notice to the Buk-gu Council, but on January 8, just one day before his scheduled resignation date, he reversed his decision. At the time, he explained that he would focus on discussions regarding the administrative integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, and drew a clear line by stating that he was "not considering" a third-term bid.

However, less than two weeks later, as he began the process of registering as a candidate for basic local government head, local political circles are criticizing him for using the administrative integration issue as a pretext to quietly shift toward a third-term bid.

Mayor Moonin's camp explained, "This is to prepare for variables in the political environment, such as the push for administrative integration," and added, "A final decision on his course of action has not yet been made." While they claim this is to prepare in case the election for the integrated government head does not take place, the prevailing interpretation is that it is essentially a "backup" registration.

In particular, more than 10 prospective candidates who have been preparing for the Buk-gu mayoral race are expected to strongly oppose Mayor Moonin's wavering moves. For those who had anticipated an open field and worked to build support, the incumbent mayor's "U-turn" is inevitably a major setback.

A local political official commented, "With the reversal of his resignation and now breaking his promise not to seek a third term, his political credibility is bound to suffer," adding, "It will be difficult for him to avoid criticism for making a groundless reversal."