Kim Du-kwan Rejects Party's Demand to Run for PK... "It's Disrespectful to Gimpo Citizens"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Kim Du-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gimpo City Gap), declined the party's request to run in the Busan·Ulsan·Gyeongnam (PK) region in this general election, saying, "Accepting the request does not seem respectful to the citizens of Gimpo."

Kim said this during a meeting with reporters immediately after the Democratic Party's caucus on the afternoon of the same day, stating, "Gimpo City warmly embraced me when I was politically struggling."

Earlier, the Democratic Party had requested Kim to run in the PK region for the general election, believing that someone was needed to lead the overall election in that area. Since Kim served as the governor of Gyeongnam in the past and is considered a leading figure of the ruling party in the Yeongnam region, there were high expectations that he would help stabilize the PK public sentiment shaken by recent allegations of interference in the Ulsan mayoral election.

However, Kim said, "On the 7th, I held a constituency report meeting attended by about 200 citizens. They strongly urged me to stay in the region and accomplish great things," adding, "Gimpo City is rapidly expanding, and there are many pressing issues."

Kim stated, "I also mentioned at the constituency report meeting that I would stay in Gimpo, and although I did not say it directly, it must have been conveyed to the party."

When asked by reporters if he could go to PK to support the campaign, he replied, "The principle is to serve the public before oneself and the party before oneself, but even that is not easy. I don't even know if I am popular there," adding, "Right now, I am diligently holding constituency report meetings in the region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.