Kim Bu-gyeom: "Will Ensure Presidential Candidate's Victory... Aim to Secure Over 3 Million Votes in Yeongnam"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum has completed his registration as a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader election. Kim emphasized, "I will ensure that any presidential candidate wins," adding, "If I become party leader, I will not run for president and will secure more than 3 million votes in the Yeongnam region."

On the morning of the 20th, ahead of his registration for the party leader election, Kim posted on his Facebook page titled "Please entrust the party leadership to Kim Boo-kyum," stating, "I promise again and again that I will make sure any presidential candidate wins. Even when I lost, I secured 40% of the votes in Daegu," and emphasized, "If we secure more than 3 million votes in Yeongnam, our party's candidate will win, no matter who it is."

He said, "There are still people who doubt," and added, "I, Kim Boo-kyum, have never lived a double-faced life. My promises and loyalty to party members always came first." He continued, "I will take the lead in creating a gathering that unites everyone without any loss of party strength. This is why I asked the media not to use terms like the party convention being a preliminary presidential battle or a Yeongnam-Honam confrontation," and emphasized, "I promise again, if I become party leader, I will not run for president."

Regarding his future aspirations, Kim said, "I will devote efforts to the Democratic Party's values of inter-Korean peace, public safety, welfare enhancement, and resolving polarization. Our party will become one that solves the issue of polarization and gives hope to citizens frustrated by unfairness and inequality." He added, "I will realize former President Roh Moo-hyun's dream of balanced development and former President Moon Jae-in's philosophy of local decentralization. I will create a Republic of Korea where everyone can enjoy happiness where they live." He also stated, "I will complete reforms to place the prosecution under civilian control. Continuing the two-year term tradition of party leaders like Choo Mi-ae and Lee Hae-chan, I will support the success of the Moon Jae-in administration and take responsibility for the Democratic Party's return to power."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, unlike his competitor lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon, who personally visited the Yeouido party headquarters to register as a candidate, Kim's team had staff register on his behalf. Kim's team explained, "The candidate registration schedule was moved up, and since a previously scheduled local itinerary could not be canceled, staff registered the candidacy." On the morning of the same day, Kim visited Gangwon Province to hold a wildfire prevention meeting with the fire department headquarters and a press conference with local reporters. In the afternoon, he plans to visit Hwangji Pond in Taebaek City, the Industrial War Memorial Tower, and typhoon Mitag recovery sites.

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