Avatar:Ling and Bak
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Ling and Bak are the Chief Magistrates of Gaoling and former candidates in the first democratic election for governorship of the State of Gaoling. Considered by Mayor Rhee to be capable bureaucrats, they represented the old order of the Earth Kingdom.
History
Ling and Bak belonged to the old Earth Kingdom bureaucracy, and were described by Mayor Rhee as "two of Gaoling's finest government officials". In 174 AG, after Earth King Wu decided to dissolve the Earth Kingdom in favor of independent states with democratically elected governments, both Ling and Bak opted to enter the upcoming elections in the State of Gaoling as candidates for the governorship. They enjoyed the full support of Rhee, who believed that either would be an ideal head of government.
Ling and Bak, together with the mayor, greeted King Wu when he traveled to Gaoling with Team Avatar. The group then proceeded to Gaoling's City Hall, where Avatar Korra and the king were formally introduced to the two bureaucrats and informed about Ling and Bak's candidacies. Both Korra and Wu privately expressed a lack of enthusiasm about Ling and Bak's electability, particularly when Commander Guan of the Earth Empire decided to run against them for governor. Joined in the race by Toph Beifong, who had been encouraged by Korra to enter the race as a stronger alternative to the magistrates,[1] Ling and Bak ended up losing the election to Guan after his mass brainwashing of Gaoling, though Guan was soon removed from office after Kuvira forced the commander to surrender, with the elections being rescheduled at a later date.[2]