Kim Kyung-soo, the Return of the 'Pro-Moon Jae-in Successor'? "May Shake the Presidential Race Immediately"

Attention Focused Ahead of the Appeal Court Ruling on the 6th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The appellate court ruling on Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, scheduled for the 6th, is attracting attention as a day that could shake not only Kim's personal fate but also the Gyeongnam provincial government and even the presidential race landscape. This is because there is a high possibility that the current two-power structure between Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon will be reorganized into a three-power structure with the addition of the so-called 'pro-Moon Jae-in heir.' Of course, this is based on the assumption of acquittal; if, as in the first trial, a guilty verdict is upheld, it could negatively affect the by-election in April next year.

On the 5th, a Democratic Party lawmaker said, "Since the guilty verdict was handed down in the first trial, contrary to general expectations, there is a quiet hope that the second trial will overturn the decision," adding, "If an acquittal is issued in the appellate court, Governor Kim is likely to emerge suddenly as a strong presidential contender."

In recent presidential preference polls, Governor Kim remains at just over 2%. He is only one of the minor candidates competing under the rivalry of Governor Lee Jae-myung, leader Lee Nak-yeon, and the recently rising Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. He is considered to be overshadowed by the so-called 'Druking' incident. However, if he is cleared of criminal charges in the second trial, he will gain momentum.

In the case of Governor Lee Jae-myung, after the Supreme Court ruled in July that he was not guilty of false information dissemination charges, some polls showed him surpassing leader Lee Nak-yeon at once, establishing himself as the most likely candidate. Governor Kim was sentenced to two years in prison in the first trial but was released on bail. This means he is more legally constrained, and the positive ripple effect of overcoming this would naturally be greater.

Above all, many evaluate that he has the strongest political firepower as a representative politician connected to the 'pro-Roh' and 'pro-Moon' factions. Governor Kim worked in the 2002 Roh Moo-hyun presidential campaign and served as a secretary in the Roh administration's Blue House. He also played the role of 'Roh Moo-hyun guardian' as the secretary-general of the Bongha Foundation and head of the Bongha Project Department at the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation. He was also active alongside President Moon Jae-in when Moon served as chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation.

Governor Lee Jae-myung's support base is considered weak partly because he earned some 'disfavor' during the presidential primary against President Moon. Leader Lee Nak-yeon served as Prime Minister during the Moon administration but is not regarded as an 'original pro-Moon' figure when looking at his past record. If Governor Kim takes center stage, he is likely to receive the warmest emotional support from the 'pro-Moon' faction. Recently, about 50 'pro-Moon' Democratic Party lawmakers have attracted attention by deciding to establish a research institute called 'Democracy 4.0.'

It should not be overlooked that, as a local government head in the relatively weak Gyeongnam region for the Democratic Party, he holds a favorable position in the election dynamics. A Democratic Party lawmaker classified as 'pro-Moon' said, "There may not be any flow within the party supporting a particular candidate," but added, "Governor Kim is an important asset to the party, and if the race reorganizes into a three-way contest with healthy competition, it will be good for both the party and the public." He continued, "If a guilty verdict is issued again, there are concerns it will immediately affect the by-election in April next year."

The opposition is also on alert and making cautious remarks. On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun wrote on Facebook, "I have a foreboding feeling that tomorrow will bring the 'final verdict of court control' by the Moon Jae-in regime," adding, "I foresee the court will grant a clean bill of acquittal." He further said, "I cannot shake the feeling that this will be a predetermined outcome to create a 'pro-Moon heir' presidential candidate project."

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