[Interview] Kim Jin-ae "Ahn Cheol-soo's Approval Rating? A Mirage That Will Disappear After One Debate"

"Presenting a Vision to Transform Seoul's Structure as an Urban Expert"
Developing 'Midtown' in Block Units on Backstreets of Downtown Transit Hubs
To Democratic Party Candidates: "Convention Effect? It's Cowardly"

Kim Jin-ae, Member of the Open Democratic Party. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Won Dara] Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party who declared her candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election, emphasized, "This election cannot be won by name recognition alone. As an urban expert, I will present and realize a vision to transform the structure of Seoul." She referred to Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, as "a mirage that will disappear after just one debate," and sharply criticized potential candidates from the Democratic Party, who have not yet decided whether to run, saying, "Are you aiming for the convention effect (a rise in approval ratings due to political events)? That’s cowardly."

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 6th, Kim said, "One should not think of the Seoul mayor position as a stepping stone to the presidential election," adding, "I believe I have the only competitiveness as someone who knows the city well and can solve structural problems." She graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Architecture, earned a Ph.D. in Urban Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and has served as a professor at KAIST’s Future City Research Institute.

She intends to appeal through expertise and work capability even if she is relatively less known. Although Ahn Cheol-soo is leading in suitability polls for Seoul mayoral candidates, Kim believes this will not last. She said, "(Ahn) relies on name recognition, but after just one debate, the Ahn Cheol-soo mirage will disappear," adding, "Didn’t his debate skills also fail to stand out in the last presidential election?" She continued, "It seems Ahn is focusing on political attacks, but political leaders cannot win voters’ hearts with negative messages. There must be hopeful messages about what they intend to do."

Kim also criticized the Democratic Party’s potential candidates, including Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, and Park Joo-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker, for delaying their position statements aside from Woo Sang-ho, who has declared his candidacy. Kim said, "I think it’s very cowardly that candidates other than Woo in the Democratic Party are not showing up," emphasizing, "You cannot just appear suddenly at the end aiming for the convention effect. You cannot win by relying on the fame of a big name; you must fight over issues and show a vision."

Kim’s main campaign pledge is the 'Mid Town' project, which develops areas around transit stations on a block-by-block basis. She said, "While the main stations in the city center are developed with high density, the side streets are not," adding, "The Seoul city government should encourage and, if necessary, provide incentives to combine the fragmented land parcels into blocks for mixed-use development."

She believes securing public interest must be done simultaneously. Kim emphasized, "If floor area ratios are increased, a certain portion of public housing or development profits must be provided," adding, "Gangnam’s real estate capital is backed by massive public infrastructure and taxes. It is absolutely necessary to return part of the development profits to the public."

She also pledged to expand public investment through the establishment of the so-called Seoul Economic Development Corporation. Kim said, "The New York Economic Development Corporation was established in the early 1990s and carried out various projects such as Battery Park (a park in southern Manhattan)," adding, "There is a considerable amount of public land that can be utilized. Through public development, various projects such as rental businesses for startup companies and corporate investments can be conducted."

Kim expressed concern about soaring housing prices. She said, "Not only Seoul but also cities worldwide like New York, Berlin, and London have seen significant increases in real estate prices," adding, "This is due to ultra-low interest rates and massive liquidity. Considering that interest rates will rise and the supply of the 3rd New Town will come out, now is a time to be very cautious."

Her slogan is a 'city you want to walk in,' and she emphasized tree planting to improve air quality. Kim said, "There are many things to do in the mid to long term, but one thing is certain: trees must be planted wherever possible. If I become mayor, you will see many more trees in Seoul."

Kim Jin-ae, Member of the Open Democratic Party. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

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