Four-Way Race Finalized, Pledge Battle Intensifies

The lineup for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Mayor election has been finalized as a four-way race with candidates Min Hyung-bae of the Democratic Party, Lee Jung-hyun of the People Power Party, Lee Jong-wook of the Progressive Party, and Kang Eun-mi of the Justice Party announcing their candidacies.

Democratic Party candidate Min Hyung-bae proposed 'Citizen Sovereignty Integration' as the core of his platform, emphasizing full transparency in policy-making processes and citizen participation. His pledges include the establishment of an AI and semiconductor industrial belt and the provision of basic income.

People Power Party candidate Lee Jung-hyun stated through the Jeonnam-Gwangju Diagnosis Committee that he would comprehensively review administrative affairs. His main pledges include the 'Youth-Led Integrated City' concept, which proposes appointing individuals under 45 to 51% of commissioned positions, and the creation of a production complex for future vehicle materials, parts, and equipment on a scale of 1 million units.

Progressive Party candidate Lee Jong-wook unveiled a vision for a '6 Million Honam Special City' that would include Jeonbuk province. His pledges include allowing citizens to decide how government incentives are used and decentralizing semiconductor industry development away from the Seoul metropolitan area.

Justice Party candidate Kang Eun-mi pledged to guarantee jobs and appropriate wages through the establishment of a 'Labor Fund for All,' along with the creation of a local public bank wholly funded by local governments and the establishment of university hospitals in the eastern and western regions of Jeonnam.

With the Jo Guk Innovation Party, which has historically received support from the Honam region, yet to announce a candidate, the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Mayor election is expected to unfold as a competitive race among the four candidates.