An Administrative Expert with Experience in Both Central and Local Government Steps Forward
From Pre-Event Performances to Book Talk: A Festival for All
Youngbae Ji, former Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and a strong candidate for Wando County Governor in the upcoming local elections in June, held a book launch event for his book The Dream the Sea Dreams, officially beginning his campaign for support.
On February 1, Youngbae Ji successfully hosted the book launch at the Wando Culture and Arts Center. Despite the subzero temperatures, a large crowd gathered at the venue, including local political and government figures, residents, and supporters, demonstrating the high level of interest in Ji as a prospective candidate for Wando County Governor.
Former Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Youngbae Ji, who is a strong candidate for Wando County Governor, successfully held a book launch event for his book The Dream the Sea Dreams. Photo by Lee Jungkyung
In his welcoming remarks, Ji emphasized, "Wando is currently facing a severe crisis in the fisheries industry and the risk of regional extinction," adding, "Wando desperately needs a 'capable administrator' who thoroughly understands the mechanisms of central government ministries and can reliably secure the necessary budget for regional development."
He highlighted his extensive public service experience across central government ministries, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and local governments, introducing himself as a "skilled expert who can secure funding" and "the Lee Jaemyung of Wando," receiving applause from the audience.
The event broke away from the typical rigid format of political gatherings and was held as a cultural festival with residents. Pre-event performances included a samulnori by the Cheongsan Nongak Troupe, a performance by the Wando Men’s Choir, and a clarinet recital by Dongha Kim, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The main event featured congratulatory speeches by Yanghun Kim, Chairman of the Wando County Council, and Gapju Kim, former President of the Gwangju Association for the Visually Impaired, as well as a calligraphy performance by artist Soyoon Park. During the book talk session led by Professor Jinyoung Park, Ji candidly shared his vision for Wando and his on-the-ground experiences as reflected in his book.
Ji expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am deeply thankful for the enthusiastic support of the residents who filled the venue despite the biting cold," and added, "I will keep your encouragement close to my heart and move forward vigorously for a new leap for Wando."
Meanwhile, despite an unavoidable change in the event date due to the funeral and memorial schedule for the late former Prime Minister Haechan Lee, the book launch drew a large turnout and concluded successfully, further demonstrating Ji’s strong organizational capabilities.
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