Min Hyung-bae vs. Joo Cheol-hyun: Will Their Policy Alliance Lead to Unified Candidacy in Jeonnam Gwangju?

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Democratic Party primary contenders Min Hyung-bae and Joo Cheol-hyun appear to be moving toward consolidating their bids in the Jeonnam–Gwangju special mayoral race.

On March 25, local political sources said the two will hold a joint press conference at 11 a.m. on March 26 at Suncheon City Hall in South Jeolla Province to announce a policy alliance. They plan to present joint proposals addressing issues in the eastern part of the province.

The pair have long signaled a close rapport. On Jan. 1, as discussions about integrating Jeonnam and Gwangju gained attention, Joo posted on Facebook praising Rep. Min Hyung-bae’s administrative integration vision. In a recent interview, Min said he has known Rep. Joo Cheol-hyun since the Roh Moo-hyun administration and stressed that their trust is such that “we don’t keep score,” highlighting their unusually close bond.

At the March 17 preliminary debate for the Jeonnam–Gwangju mayoral primary, the two traded compliments and projected a congenial atmosphere.

Political observers say the joint press conference could be the first formal step toward nominating a single candidate.

Other Democratic primary contenders have also shown signs of coordination. Kang Ki-jung and Shin Jung-hoon recently indicated an interest in alignment; the pair visited the Gwangju Archdiocese office and met with Archbishop Ok Hyun-jin.

Meanwhile, Kim Young-rok on Thursday appointed Lee Byung-hoon—his fellow alumnus from Gwangju Ilgo High School, who serves as senior vice chair of the Honam Development Committee and who withdrew from the special mayoral primary—as overall executive co-chair of his campaign.