Hong Jun-pyo's PK Candidacy Declaration: "Kim Du-kwan Card Is Still Alive"... Former Governors' Showdown?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo has expressed his intention to run in the Miryang district of Gyeongnam, while the Democratic Party of Korea is continuing to coordinate the candidacy of Representative Kim Du-kwan (Gyeonggi Gimpo Gap) for the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK) region. Although Representative Kim has expressed his reluctance, the party is urging him to play a central role in the PK election, and he is reportedly considering it carefully. Attention is focused on whether a symbolic showdown will be created between these leading Yeongnam politicians, both former governors of Gyeongnam.

Min Hong-chul, chairman of the Democratic Party’s Gyeongnam Provincial Committee, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 16th, "At the central party level, there is ongoing discussion about Representative Kim running in the PK region as a national figure, and a decision is expected around the Lunar New Year holiday." He added, "Not only Yangsan but also areas like Busan Bukgangseo-eul, where former President Roh Moo-hyun once ran and recently Representative Kim Do-eup of the Liberty Korea Party announced he would not run, are possible. The 'Kim Du-kwan PK card' is still alive."

On the 6th, Representative Min requested Representative Kim to lead the overall PK region general election. In response, Representative Kim expressed that he could not leave his Gimpo district but said, "Regarding the party’s repeated requests, I haven’t thought about it much, so I’m not sure."

Although there is public opinion in the Gimpo district that Representative Kim should remain, there are also many views that he should move down to draw the 'big picture.' Representative Kim has a history of serving as a village chief and county governor in Namhae County and was elected governor of Gyeongnam after two electoral defeats. If he achieves victory for himself and the party in the PK region this time, he could rapidly emerge as a presidential candidate.

Representative Min said, "Former leader Hong calls himself a 'dirt spoon,' but in fact, hasn’t he followed an elite course? Representative Kim, on the other hand, can be called a dirt spoon who started as a village chief. It would also be meaningful for a former Gyeongnam governor to run as a symbolic figure for both ruling and opposition parties in the PK region."

Former leader Hong stated at a lecture held in Busan the day before, "PK has become a shaken region," and "I will run in the Miryang Changnyeong area of Gyeongnam to unite the PK sentiment in this general election."

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