Na: "In the Era of Integration, I Will Never Miss Muan's Opportunity"
Declares a Grand Transformation at Muan International Airport
Emphasizes Administrative Innovation and Leading Integration
On the 3rd, former Jeollanam-do Assemblyman Kwangguk Na is reading the candidacy announcement for Muan County Governor at the entrance of Muan Airport. Photo by Seunghyun Jung
Kwangguk Na, a member of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Muan District 2), officially announced his candidacy for Muan County Governor at 11 a.m. on March 3 at Muan International Airport, stating, "In this era of integration, I will never miss Muan's opportunity."
Assemblyman Na described Muan International Airport as "a symbolic space encompassing Muan's past, present, and future," and declared, "Here, I announce a grand transformation for Muan." Before his official announcement, he expressed condolences for the victims of a recent passenger plane accident and urged the government to promptly investigate the cause and establish measures to prevent recurrence.
Former Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member Kwangguk Na greeting supporters after the election press conference. Photo by Seunghyun Jeong
"Integration is an Unavoidable Trend... Muan Must Lead the Design"
Assemblyman Na defined the spirit of the current era as "integration." Referring to discussions on administrative integration between Jeollanam-do and Gwangju, the restructuring of national policies, and the new phase of the civil-military airport issue, he emphasized, "A massive wave of change is coming like a tsunami," adding, "Now is the time for Muan to decide whether to simply follow or to proactively design its future."
In particular, regarding the relocation of the military airport, he stated, "What matters now is not past positions but strategy and initiative," raising four key questions: the effectiveness of measures to protect residents, the specificity of compensation and support, the plan for industry, transportation, and future strategies after the airport relocation, and securing Muan's substantial interests after integration. He asserted, "Now is the moment to formulate answers."
"A Politics that Resolves Conflict Through Policy"
Na highlighted that over the past eight years, he has served in the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly, engaging across the metropolitan, local, and central governments. He cited his experience in designing the largest-ever budget, enacting the nation's first ordinances, and negotiating among industry, academia, government, and civil sectors, describing himself as "not a politician who incites conflict, but one who addresses it through policy."
He listed key achievements: enacting the nation's first ordinance supporting breakfast meals, structuring policies to address youth outflow, expanding Muan's transportation infrastructure, and contributing to securing regional budgets, stating, "I have proven myself not with words, but with results."
He further added, "Integration is not just a slogan, but a structure," and explained that he has been preparing for Muan's leap forward as an administrative hub and a smart future industrial base in the southwestern region after integration.
Na Kwangguk, a provincial councilor who pledged to lead the change in Muan and create regional value. Photo by Seunghyun Jung
"Transforming Muan County Administration with Openness, Public Discourse, and Strategy"
He also outlined specific plans for administrative innovation. Assemblyman Na pledged, "I will shift from closed-door administration to open administration, from post-factum notifications to prior public discourse, and from emotional responses to strategic negotiation."
He also introduced a vision of resolving conflicts through policy, not political calculations, but through discussion and consensus. To this end, he promised to make all meetings, including senior officials' meetings in Muan County, public, and to forgo the use of official residences and government vehicles for commuting. "I will begin by changing myself," he pledged.
He emphasized, "In an era of integration, we need leaders who can explain, negotiate, and take responsibility," reiterating that he is a "prepared candidate."
"A Leap Forward as the Central City of the Southwest"
For Muan's future vision, he presented goals such as becoming a mecca of integrated administration, a key transportation hub, the residential center of the southwest region, and a city attracting future industries including RE100.
"Muan is the administrative center where the Jeollanam-do provincial government is located and is the nation's first strategic base combining an airport and railway," he said, adding, "Within the flow of integration, I will ensure Muan secures its rightful share."
Assemblyman Na concluded by pledging, "I will prove myself by moving beyond conflict with strategy, beyond debate with design, and beyond promises with action. Together with the citizens, I will open a new path for Muan."
On the 3rd, many supporters and journalists from Muan attended the press conference for the candidacy announcement. Photo by Seunghyun Jeong
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