Kim Du-kwan Declares PK Candidacy: "I Will Bear the Cross of Regionalism... Will Win the Nakdong River Battle"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] On the 30th, Kim Doo-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially declared his candidacy for the general election in Yangsan-eul, Gyeongnam. As the opposition party is expected to field a heavyweight candidate against Kim, attention is focused on whether a symbolic showdown between representative politicians of the Yeongnam region will be created.

On the same day, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "Back to Yeongnam, I will open an era of livelihood and reform and protect Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in," and declared, "I will run for the 21st general election in the Yangsan-si-eul constituency."

Kim emphasized, "For the Moon Jae-in government to succeed and to open an era of livelihood and reform, the Democratic Party must win the 21st general election," and added, "Also, to overcome the stigma of the worst 20th National Assembly and open a true National Assembly for the people, the Democratic Party must win overwhelmingly."

He continued, "For a National Assembly for livelihood and reform, to overcome regionalism and ensure the success of the Moon Jae-in government, I will give up my personal comfort," and said, "I will devote myself solely to fulfilling President Roh Moo-hyun's dream and protecting President Moon Jae-in."

He apologized to the citizens of Gimpo, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the citizens of Gimpo who warmly supported me," and expressed, "I will never forget the warm hands of each and every one who held my hand and the local projects of Gimpo that I have nurtured like my own children."

Kim criticized Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, saying, "Despite numerous waits for the people's livelihood, Leader Hwang ran only for the presidency," and added, "Just as there was no sincere reflection or apology for the state affairs manipulation, now they are trying to hold the 21st general election with the tricks of the fake Korea Party and baseless collusion without any reflection on the 20th National Assembly."

He said, "Whether it is a victory for the people's livelihood or a victory for the lust for power depends on the Gyeongnam-Busan-Ulsan election (PK). And the turning point is the Nakdong River battle," emphasizing, "Only the victory of the Nakdong River battle will not let the sacrifices of Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in, who fought to overcome regionalism, be in vain and will protect the 50-year history of democratization."

Kim said, "Yangsan and the Nakdong River area are places imbued with President Roh's lifelong dream of opening a world where people live, and the starting point of President Moon's innovative inclusive nation," and declared, "In this place with a vision for the new Dongnam region era, I will once again bear the cross of regionalism. If I can be kindling to change our politics, I will gladly burn myself."

With Kim officially announcing his candidacy for Yangsan-eul on this day, the Democratic Party will contest the PK region general election with a 'two-top system' consisting of Kim and Kim Young-choon (Busanjin-gap).

Accordingly, the Democratic Party is expected to present a development strategy encompassing the entire PK region. Earlier, Kim met with Kim Kyung-soo, governor of Gyeongnam, who advised, "Gyeongnam is very difficult due to the decline of the shipbuilding industry, and as a breakthrough, we need to set a vision with the concept of a mega-city encompassing Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam."

Meanwhile, since the Yangsan area is the center of the Nakdong River belt, there are also prospects that the Liberty Korea Party will place a heavyweight candidate in Yangsan-eul to oppose Kim. In particular, former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo and former Gyeongnam governor Kim Tae-ho are mentioned as potential matches for Kim. However, former leader Hong has firmly decided to run in Miryang-Uiryeong-Haman-Changnyeong, and former governor Kim in Gyeongnam's Sancheong-Hamyang-Geochang-Hapcheon, so it is uncertain whether they will accept the party's request.

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