Chae Seungse, Political Affairs Aide to Democratic Party Leader, Officially Enters Gwangsan-gu Mayoral Race

"Turning Gwangsan's Potential into Reality with AI"

On the morning of February 3, Chae Seungse, political affairs special adviser to the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council and declared his candidacy for mayor of Gwangsan-gu in the June 3 local elections.

In his declaration of candidacy, Special Adviser Chae stated, "Politics must be the strongest shield to protect the lives of the people," adding, "In an era when awakened citizens have defended democracy, I will open a new future for Gwangsan together with its citizens."

Referring to the administrative integration of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province and the envisioned era of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City, he said, "Gwangsan is no longer a peripheral mixed urban-rural city, but the geographical center of the integrated special city and the heart where future industries and transportation intersect," stressing that "Only when Gwangsan thrives can Gwangju survive and the Honam region take off."

Special Adviser Chae cited the utilization of the site following the relocation of the military airport as a key task for Gwangsan. He said, "We cannot allow another forest of apartment blocks to rise on the land vacated by the military airport," and added, "We must turn it into a 'land of opportunity' where future sources of livelihood grow, not into gray concrete."

At the center of his pledges lies the vision of an "AI Future City." Special Adviser Chae said, "AI must not be a technology solely for efficiency, but a tool that embraces people's lives," adding, "I will build Gwangsan into an innovative city that practices AI-based administration which detects and solves urban problems through data, and that serves as a test bed for autonomous driving and future mobility."

Defining himself as a "prepared administrator," Special Adviser Chae highlighted his career as principal of the Gwangju Roh Moo-hyun Citizens' School, chief of staff of Gwangsan-gu, and political affairs special adviser to the Gwangju City government, and his current role as political affairs special adviser to the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. He said, "A person who has experienced the legislature, the administration, and the party alike must take responsibility in a time of change."

Special Adviser Chae presented four "major gateways" to drive change in Gwangsan: a gateway to future industries, a gateway to livability, a gateway to transportation, and a gateway to culture. Through these, he pledged to create a city overflowing with jobs, a city where no one is left behind, a city with a 30-minute living zone, and a city where everyday life becomes culture.

Special Adviser Chae said, "Anyone can make promises, but not everyone can put them into practice," adding, "Gwangsan's success will be the completion of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City and, furthermore, an important benchmark for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration." He continued, "Together with the citizens who overcame the 12·3 Rebellion, I will make Gwangsan a successful model of the most livable AI Future City in Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.