Fourth-Term Senior Lawmaker Lee Gaeho's Book Launch Concludes Successfully... Local Political Figures Gather En Masse

"Policy Strategist" Lee Gaeho - "Original Aide" Kim Yong

Book Launches at the Same Venue Showcase "Trust"


Heo Gyeongman, Park Junyoung, Kang Woontae and Many Others Attend

73 Lawmakers, Including Party Leader Jung Cheongrae, Send Video Messages

"Breaking Through Stagnant Poll Numbers with 'Real Capability'"

Lee Gaeho, a Member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, is taking a commemorative photo with supporters at the book launch event on the 22nd for his book "Lee Gaeho's Preparation Complete - Vision and Plans Toward the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City." Photo by Lee Gaeho's office.

Representative Lee Gaeho of the Democratic Party of Korea held a book launch event for his new book, "Lee Gaeho's Ready - Vision and Plan Toward a Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City," which lays out a plan for a supra-regional economic zone for Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, thereby demonstrating his substantial political weight.

The event, held at 2:00 p.m. on the 4th floor of the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju on the 22nd, was packed with figures from various sectors and local residents who sympathize with Lee's vision of "Grand Integration of Gwangju and South Jeolla" in the face of the national crisis of population decline and regional extinction, proving the solid support base of this fourth-term senior lawmaker.

In particular, what drew attention at the venue that day was the "cross visit" between key aides to President Lee Jaemyung.

At the same time, on the 3rd floor of the convention center, a book launch event was being held for Kim Yong, former Vice President of the Democratic Research Institute, who is on a nationwide book concert tour. Before the start of his own main event, Representative Lee went down to the 3rd floor to offer his congratulations to former Vice President Kim. In return, Kim then visited the 4th-floor event, delivering a special message of support.

The "mutual support" between former Vice President Kim, an "original aide" who has long stood by President Lee, and Representative Lee, a "policy strategist" who served as chair of the party's Policy Committee under Lee Jaemyung's leadership and designed the Democratic Party's core state agenda, further heightened the atmosphere at the scene.

Many supporters gathered at the venue on the 22nd to celebrate Representative Lee Gaeho's book launch. Reporter Sim Jinseok

Former and current leaders from across the local political and administrative circles also turned out in force.

Led by Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung and South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Youngrok, key figures who have led the region in the past and present, including former South Jeolla Governors Heo Gyeongman and Park Junyoung, sat side by side. In addition, many basic local government heads from Gwangju and South Jeolla, including Hampyeong County Mayor Lee Sangik, Jangseong County Mayor Kim Hanjong, Yeonggwang County Mayor Jang Seil, Yeongam County Mayor Woo Seunghui, and Gwangju Nam-gu District Mayor Kim Byungnae, joined in large numbers to unite around the goal of regional development.

There was also a steady stream of visitors from the Yeouido political scene. Many fellow lawmakers, including Park Jiweon, Shin Jeonghun, Joo Cheolhyeon, Kim Moonsu, Jeon Jinsuk, Jung Jinwook, and Ahn Dogeol, came to the venue in person. In addition, as many as 73 incumbent lawmakers, including National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik, Party Leader Jung Cheongrae, and Floor Leader Han Byungdo, sent video congratulatory messages, reaffirming Lee's solid standing within the party.

After passing the higher civil service exam at the age of 21 and serving more than 30 years in public office, Representative Lee has gone on to win four consecutive terms in the National Assembly and has held key posts such as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and chair of the party's Policy Committee. In his greeting that day, he candidly laid out the blueprint for regional development contained in his new book.

Under a broad blueprint for building the "Southern Capital of the Republic of Korea (Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City)" to break the capital area-centric, single-pole system, he shared with attendees the book's policy plans for four major subregions.

Specifically, for the Gwangju area, he proposed transforming it into the heart of high-tech industry by creating a city specialized in artificial intelligence (AI) and attracting a mutually beneficial semiconductor foundry. For the eastern area, he presented a plan to reignite the industrial engine through preemptive restructuring of the petrochemical industry and the establishment of a secondary battery mega cluster.

In addition, he proposed turning the western area into a hub of the future energy economy by combining industrial complexes dedicated to the global RE100 initiative with data centers, and overcoming the extinction crisis in rural and fishing areas by expanding smart agriculture and fully implementing basic income for rural and fishing communities. These are detailed solutions that embody his 45 years of experience.

Representative Lee also appeared mindful of the somewhat stagnant early-election polling trends in recent days and announced a strategy to break through the situation head-on with competence and sincerity.

He said, "In politics, there are frustrating moments when shallow calculations obscure genuine intentions, but the sweat I have quietly shed while focusing solely on this region will ultimately reach the hearts of city and provincial residents," adding, "I will not offer plausible promises that lack any guarantee of implementation. Instead, I will resolve the many pending regional issues in a refreshing way and break through the current situation with 'real capability' that combines solid administrative competence, seasoned political skills, and the ability to bring conflicting interests together into one."

Meanwhile, going beyond a mere show of strength, this book launch event, which examined concrete policy measures as a survival strategy for Gwangju and South Jeolla, will serve as a starting point for Representative Lee to embark on vigorous activities to make his "Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City" vision a reality.