장광근
Three-term National Assembly member (14th, 16th, 18th) who served as Grand National Party spokesperson and secretary general
| Life | 1954 ~ 2023 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 단양 장씨 |
Life & career
Jang Gwang-geun (1954-2023) was a South Korean politician whose ancestral seat was Danyang and whose pen name was Baeksan (白山). He graduated from Yonsei University in political science and diplomacy. Korean Wikipedia gives his seat as Danyang and he is also named in its Danyang Jang clan article.
He entered politics in 1985 by joining the Sinjeong Socialist Party and is described as later belonging to the Democratic Party, the United Democratic Party and the Grand National Party, then Bareun Party, Liberty Korea Party, the United Future Party and the People Power Party. He was elected to the National Assembly three times: the 14th (national constituency), the 16th (proportional) and the 18th (Seoul Dongdaemun A).
In the Grand National Party he served as chief deputy spokesperson, spokesperson, secretary general (2009-2010) and chair of the Seoul city committee. Remarks about candlelight protesters in 2008 drew controversy, and he was reported to have been indicted over aides' salaries for violating the Political Funds Act and for suborning perjury, receiving suspended sentences at first instance. He died on 29 July 2023 at the age of 69.
Entering Politics and the Assembly
He joined the Sinjeong Socialist Party in 1985 and served in the 14th, 16th and 18th Assemblies.
Party Posts
He was chief deputy spokesperson, spokesperson, secretary general (2009-2010) and Seoul city committee chair of the Grand National Party.