Kang Deok-gu, the 52-year-old Democratic Party chair of the Gokseong County Council in Jeollanam-do, has announced his bid for Gokseong County mayor in the upcoming June 3 nationwide local elections.
In his declaration on the 10th, Kang described himself as a “son of Gokseong” who grew up on local soil and nurtured his dreams among neighbors. He pledged to create a “greater Gokseong” that residents can experience in their daily lives through continuous progress.
Kang addressed the looming threat of regional decline, stating that the proposed “Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City” is not merely an administrative reshuffle but a vital survival strategy for Gokseong to overcome its population and financial constraints.
He committed to leveraging the special city framework to secure financial decentralization and special provisions for agriculture, livestock, culture, and tourism. His goal is to attract larger budgets and broader authority to Gokseong, transforming this wave of change into a springboard for the county’s advancement.
Kang’s background includes leadership roles such as student body president at Chosun University of Science and Technology, president of the Gokseong Youth Chamber of Commerce, head of the Gokseong Boxing Association, and member of the Jeonnam Province Eastern Regional Government Advisory Council. His political career encompasses positions like Democratic Party Gokseong liaison chief, chair of the party’s Jeollanam-do National Sovereignty Election Committee’s Local Government Special Committee, and organizational advisor for President Moon Jae-in’s central election campaign. Currently, he serves as the chairperson of the Gokseong County Council for its second term.
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