Democratic Party Seoul Mayoral Candidate Jeong Won-o Launches Committee for Cultural and Artistic City

Formation of the Committee for Cultural and Artistic City to Advance the Economic and Cultural City Pledge

Professor Bang Hyunseok, Creator of “Human Lee Jaemyung,” Appointed as Executive Chairperson

Cultural and arts figures who resonated with the pledge of Jeong Wono, the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor, to realize a "Global G2 Economic and Cultural City," have joined his campaign.

On April 6, candidate Jeong launched the Committee for Cultural and Artistic City, appointing Professor Bang Hyunseok of Chung-Ang University—author of the historical novel "Beomdo"—as standing chairperson. Jeong stated, "I have formed this committee to thoroughly prepare Seoul to become a dignified economic and cultural city worthy of being the capital of the Republic of Korea, a cultural powerhouse envisioned by Kim Gu."

On the 20th, a joint preliminary debate for the Seoul mayoral candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea was held at JTBC in Mapo-gu, Seoul. On this day, candidate Jeong Wono is waiting for the debate to start. March 20, 2026 Photo by National Assembly Photographers

Chairperson Bang Hyunseok said, "I will contribute to making Seoul, a city proud of its vibrant democratic dynamism, the beating heart of living K-culture." He added, "I expect candidate Jeong to demonstrate in the most effective way how culture and arts can become a source of national competitiveness." Bang is the author of novels including "Dawn Departure," "When They Call My Name," and "Years." He has received the Shin Dong-yup Literary Award, Hwang Soon-won Literature Prize, Oh Young-soo Literature Award, Kim Jeong-han Literary Award, and Lim Jong-guk Award, among others. Notably, his full-length novel "Beomdo," based on General Hong Beomdo and grounded in profound historical awareness, has become a bestseller and is regarded as a moving literary account of the armed anti-Japanese resistance.

The committee's co-chairs include Lee Dongha, producer of the film "Train to Busan"; Ahn Taekyung, planning director for the establishment of Hakchon Theater and creator of "Chilsoo and Mansoo"; Professor Kim Seonae of the Korea National University of Arts; renowned webtoon artist Won Soo-yeon; and director Oh Sehyuk.

Section heads include Jeong Wooyoung, former secretary general of the Writers Association of Korea; director Jo Eunsung, who produced documentaries on President Roh Moo-hyun and baseball player Choi Dongwon; Kim Jungki, former director of the Gwangju Museum of Art and leader of the "25 Seouls" policy; architect Jang Ilmun, designer of the Yeonnam-dong Design Community in Seoul Human Town; Choi Jeongbong, former head of the Asia Culture Center, visiting professor at New York University and currently at Ewha Womans University; Jo Kisuk, director of a contemporary ballet company; and Kim Junghwan, former head of Seongdong Cultural Foundation, among others.

In addition, Chang Su-dong, head of an opera ensemble; Park Jeonggeun, chairman of the Kim Su-young Memorial Foundation; Kim Yunhwan, artist and planner in Seongsu-dong; Park Eun-yong, secretary general of the International Cultural Exchange Association; Park Jangryeol, former president of the Seoul Theater Association; Lee Seungjeong, former president of the Korea Cultural & Arts Centers Association; Kim Eojinkyorae, former president of the Seoul Regional Cultural Foundation Association; literary critic Nam Seungwon; and cultural city planner Kim Dongbeom have each assumed responsibilities in their respective fields, further expanding the organization of the Committee for Cultural and Artistic City.

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