[Exclusive] Kim Young-chun "Will Announce Candidacy by Mid-Next Month... 250 Million? Claiming the Same Amount in Compensation"

Writing a Political History Book... Leading Candidate for Busan Mayor Election

Secretary General of the National Assembly Kim Young-chun. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Young-chun, Secretary General of the National Assembly, will announce his decision on whether to run in the Busan mayoral by-election around mid-next month. Considered the most likely candidate within the ruling party, he has been focusing on regional issues such as the Southeast region new airport and has recently been actively voicing his opinions. He is strongly responding to allegations of involvement in the Lime scandal through defamation lawsuits.

On the 18th, Secretary General Kim told Asia Economy in a phone call, "I plan to publish a book I am preparing around mid-next month," adding, "I think I will be able to announce (whether I will run in the Busan mayoral by-election) around that time. I have not decided yet."

He is currently writing a political history book based on the experiences he has gone through during his political career. Once the book is completed, he will reflect on the past and express his future aspirations. Within the ruling party, candidates such as former lawmaker Kim Hae-young and Busan City Council member Park In-young are also mentioned, but Secretary General Kim is considered the most likely frontrunner. He had previously intended to run for Busan mayor as well.

He recently recalled the time when the 2018 Busan mayoral election was approaching through Facebook, saying, "I did not want to lose by yielding like four years ago." At that time, he was serving as the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, and employees had pleaded with him to help approve the establishment of the Korea Ocean Business Corporation as a government-wide plan. Secretary General Kim said, "Because of that wish, the bus that could have made me a mayoral candidate left. Instead, I succeeded in attracting the Korea Ocean Business Corporation to Busan."

Since there is some regret, the possibility of his candidacy this time is high. Secretary General Kim recently said in an interview with a local Busan media outlet, "Every time I go to Busan, I will meet with citizens and party members to ask how I should proceed and seek their advice."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" the day before and said about Secretary General Kim, "(Two years ago) in a way, he missed the chance to run for Busan mayor, but due to various circumstances, the party is strongly requesting him," adding, "I hear that he is organizing his thoughts that he cannot avoid the party's request."

Secretary General Kim has argued that the new airport is essential infrastructure for the Southeast region mega-city concept. He said, "I have been refining the mega-city concept in close consultation with Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province," emphasizing, "Along with the new airport, we must establish a metropolitan railway network for the Southeast region to have an integrated system like the metropolitan area. For Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong), this is a matter of urgent survival."

He recently filed a defamation lawsuit with the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office against former Star Mobility Chairman Kim Bong-hyun and Sisa Journal, who raised allegations of receiving 250 million won. He also said he would file a civil damages suit against Sisa Journal. Secretary General Kim said in the call, "Since they said I received 250 million won, I will demand the same amount as damages. I will make sure they pay the price."

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