Kim Jin-ae: "No Unification That Paves a Flower Path for the Democratic Party"

On the 9th, Assemblyman Kim Jin-ae, confirmed as the Open Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor in the April 7 by-election, receives the nomination certificate from Representative Choi Kang-wook at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 25th, Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, said that the discussion on unified candidacy among the ruling coalition should not be "a way to pave a flower path for the Democratic Party of Korea candidate."

At a press conference held that day, Rep. Kim said, "Unified candidacy cannot be achieved simply by consolidating forces," adding, "Successful unified candidacy requires two conditions: 'fair play' and 'policy pledge consensus'." She questioned whether the Democratic Party's attitude toward unified candidacy was truly 'fair play,' saying, "They should have adjusted the party's primary schedule to conclude the primary last week, but no action was taken, and now they want to skip a proper unification process. Is that fair play?"

Rep. Kim emphasized, "We cannot blame the delay now, but I think it is right to choose the method we can use in this situation," adding, "Even the method of unification feels like the Democratic Party is trying to pave a flower path for whoever will be the final candidate, but that should not happen." She demanded, "The Democratic Party should present a fair play unification process (schedule)," and requested, "Give candidate Kim Jin-ae the opportunity to appeal to Seoul citizens and supporters of the pro-democracy camp that she is the most capable and politically optimal candidate in the unification process."

Regarding the Democratic Party's preliminary candidate Park Young-sun's '21-minute city' pledge, she criticized it as a "fictional picture" and demanded its withdrawal. Kim said, "A 21-minute compact city?would the number 21 have come up if it were not the 21st century?" She also attacked, "The vertical garden city concept is unclear, and even its form is suspected of plagiarism. Isn't it a copy of New York's 'Vessel'?"

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