Voters flock to polls for historic first election of unified South Jeolla-Gwangju Metropolitan Mayor

"It's the first election for the unified Metropolitan Mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju. The voting rights we've been given are that precious and meaningful, so of course, we have to come out and elect our representatives."

On the 3rd, the election day for the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections, voters' footsteps continued from early morning to polling stations set up across Gwangju and South Jeolla, eager to personally elect the historic 'first head of the unified metropolitan city'.

As this is the first major election to be held after the administrative integration, from urban voters to elderly residents in rural areas, there was an atmosphere full of enthusiasm to "directly elect the leaders who will open a new future for the region."

At the Gyerim 1-dong polling station No. 2, located in a ceramic shop in Dong-gu, Gwangju, the atmosphere was relatively calm yet solemn that morning.

Thanks to the high early voting rate of 27.83%, there were no long queues, but the expressions of voters heading to the polling stations carried a sense of weight.

Mr. Yoon Cheol (59), a delivery driver who visited the polling station with his spouse, said, "Honestly, I haven't paid much attention to politics until now, but isn't this a historic election to choose a metropolitan mayor?" He added, "Regardless of the party, I voted for a candidate who can truly lead our regional development."

Those who came to exercise their precious rights despite physical discomfort were also noticeable.

A resident who came to the polling station in a wheelchair after undergoing surgery for a fractured leg said, "Even with my leg like this, I felt I wouldn't be at ease if I didn't vote, so I came out." She continued, "We are also electing metropolitan council members, not just the mayor, so I carefully considered the pledges and policies of who would work for our neighborhood before casting my vote."

At the same time, rural polling stations in South Jeolla were busy with residents who hurried out early in the morning, despite it being the peak farming season.

At the polling station set up in the gateball court in Samseo-myeon, Jangseong-gun, South Jeolla, a diverse group of people gathered, from white-haired elders leaning on canes to farmers who arrived on agricultural ATVs.

The artificial turf field, where residents usually enjoy gateball, presented a different scene with the election guidance signs and voting booths set up for the day.

Residents unanimously expressed the urgent need for solutions to address the increasingly severe regional extinction and revitalize the rural economy.

Mr. Lee (67), who grows strawberries in Samseo-myeon, said, "It's a busy season right now, but since this is the first major election after Jeonnam and Gwangju merged, how could I miss it?" He added, "I really hope a mayor is elected who understands the hearts of us farmers as if scratching an itch, and who will make it a good place to live for everyone without leaving anyone behind."

Another elder leaving after voting said, "Seeing the countryside now, all the young people have left, and the village is on the verge of disappearing, which breaks my heart." He expressed his wish, "I hope the newly elected mayor will establish good measures so that young people can return to the countryside."

The unified metropolitan city of Jeonnam-Gwangju has 2,747,725 voters. In this election, one unified metropolitan mayor, one unified metropolitan superintendent of education, 57 unified metropolitan council members (excluding 34 elected unopposed), 25 heads of local governments (excluding 2 elected unopposed), and 276 local council members (excluding 44 elected unopposed) will be elected, totaling 360 people (440 including those elected unopposed).