Kang Gi-jung
South Korena politician (born 1964)
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Kang Gi-jung (Korean: 강기정; born December 3, 1964) is a South Korean politician who served as the mayor of Gwangju from 2022 to 2026.[1] A member of the Democratic Party of Korea, he previously served as a three-term member of the National Assembly and as a senior presidential aide.[2]
Kang Gi-jung | |
|---|---|
강기정 | |
Jung in 2025 | |
| 14th Mayor of Gwangju | |
| In office 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Lee Yong-seop |
| Succeeded by | Min Hyung-bae (as Mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju) |
| Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs | |
| In office 8 January 2019 – 10 August 2020 | |
| President | Moon Jae-in |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office 30 May 2004 – 29 May 2016 | |
| Constituency | Buk A (Gwangju) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 3, 1964 |
| Party | Democratic Party of Korea |
| Education | Chonnam National University (BS, MA) |
Early life and education
Kang Gi-jung was born in Goheung, South Jeolla Province on December 3, 1964.[3] He attended Chonnam National University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He later obtained a Master's degree in Public Administration from the same institution.[4][2]
Election results
General elections
| Year | Elections | Constituency | Political party | Votes (%) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 16th National Assembly General Election | Buk A (Gwangju) | Independent | 15,606 (19.91%) | Defeated |
| 2002 | 2002 By-election | Buk A (Gwangju) | Independent | 6,047 (18.13%) | Defeated |
| 2004 | 17th National Assembly General Election | Buk A (Gwangju) | Uri | 51,258 (59.82%) | Won |
| 2008 | 18th National Assembly General Election | Buk A (Gwangju) | UDP | 36,656 (63.28%) | Won |
| 2012 | 19th National Assembly General Election | Buk A (Gwangju) | DUP | 37,718 (57.72%) | Won |
Local elections
Mayor of Gwangju
| Year | Elections | Constituency | Political party | Votes (%) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8th Iocal Election | Gwangju (Mayoral Elections) | Democratic | 334,699 (74.91%) | Won |
Political career
Jung entered national politics in 2004 and served as a three-term member of the National Assembly (17th, 18th, and 19th), representing the Buk District of Gwangju.[1] During his tenure, he held roles including the Executive Secretary of the Health and Welfare Committee and the Chairman of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Ethics.
In January 2019, President Moon Jae-in appointed Jung as the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs.[2] In this role, he was tasked with facilitating communication between the executive branch and the legislature, coordinating major national policies and responding to parliamentary issues.[5]
Mayor of Gwangju
Jung was elected as the Mayor of Gwangju in the June 2022 local elections. Since taking office on July 1, 2022, he has focused on transforming Gwangju into a "City of Opportunity," prioritizing industrial growth in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and future mobility.[4][1]