Many Current and Former Lawmakers, Major Local Election Candidates Attend
Demonstrating Strong Political Presence
The book launch event for former Gongju Mayor Kim Jeongseop was held on February 1 at the Baekje Education and Culture Center of the National Gongju University. The event drew approximately 2,000 citizens and political figures, clearly reflecting Kim’s political stature and the keen interest in his future moves.
On this day, Kim unveiled two books: “Kim Jeongseop’s Gongju Innovation Initiative·Gongju Grand Transformation Golden Time” and “Sweat, Bleed, and Weep·The Story of the Gongju High School Independence Movement.”
The event was attended by heads of various civic organizations in Gongju, as well as numerous individuals who have announced their intention to run in the upcoming local elections.
Additionally, the venue saw a large turnout of prospective candidates for the Chungnam Governor, Daejeon Mayor, and Sejong Mayor positions, as well as candidates for city and provincial superintendent of education, and political figures from the Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang regions-creating what could be described as a “full assembly of the political community.”
During the congratulatory addresses, speakers included Ilju Lee, Director of the Gongju Cultural Center; Ikryul Yoo, former principal of Gongju High School; National Assembly members Lee Inyoung, Park Soo-hyun, Kang Junhyun, Yeom Taeyoung, Moon Jinseok, and Park Junghyun; former Chungnam Governor Yang Seungjo; former Sejong Mayor Lee Chunhee; former Daejeon Mayor Heo Taejeong; former Chungnam Vice Governor for Political Affairs Na Soyeol; Cheongyang County Governor Kim Dongon; Buyeo County Governor Park Junghyun; Baekiseon, Secretary-General of the Kim Daejung Foundation; and former Osan Mayor Kwak Sangwook, among others, who took the stage in turn.
They highlighted Kim’s extensive political career and administrative experience, spanning from his involvement in the democratization movement, through the National Assembly, the ruling party secretariat, the Blue House, and finally as the 7th popularly elected Mayor of Gongju.
In particular, they emphasized that the policy experiments and changes in Gongju during his four-year term attracted nationwide attention.
Park Soo-hyun, head of the Democratic Party’s Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang regional chapter, stated, “Former Mayor Kim Jeongseop instilled confidence in citizens that Gongju could do even better during his tenure,” adding, “The past four years represented a mandate from the citizens to examine Gongju’s challenges more deeply and prepare for a grand transformation.”
Democratic Party member Lee Inyoung, a member of the National Assembly, attended the book launch event of former Gongju Mayor Kim Jeongseop held on the 1st.
National Assembly member Lee Inyoung remarked, “Having observed former Mayor Kim since our university days over 40 years ago, I can say he has always been dignified, thoughtful, and consistently a true citizen of Gongju,” adding, “He is someone who can insightfully understand Gongju’s past, present, and future.”
Poet Na Taejoo, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, former National Assembly Speaker Jeong Seye-kyun, Democratic Party Supreme Council member Hwang Myungseon, Secretary-General Cho Seungrae, and National Assembly members Kim Youngbae, Bok Giwang, and Lee Jeongmoon-who could not attend the event-also introduced Kim’s character and political capabilities through video messages and written statements.
Kim Jeongseop stated, “The policy environment in Gongju is fundamentally changing due to the rapid spread of artificial intelligence, the climate and energy crisis, and population decline,” adding, “The completion of Sejong as the administrative capital and the promotion of administrative integration between Chungnam and Daejeon could present new opportunities for Gongju.”
He continued, “A leader responsible for city administration must be able to detect signals of change early, prepare countermeasures, and possess the capacity to move forward together with citizens and public officials.”
Regarding his other book, “The Story of the Gongju High School Independence Movement,” Kim explained, “It is a record that restores the history of the student independence movement in the Gongju region,” and expressed his wish to “continue supplementing this chronicle of the independence struggle, which should never be omitted from Gongju’s history, every year.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Chungnam Provincial Chapter of the Democratic Party has been conducting eligibility reviews for those wishing to run in the June 3 local elections since the end of last month.
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