Kim Du-kwan: "Among ruling party candidates from Yeongnam, where else is there this level of competitiveness for regime re-creation?"

[Presidential Candidate Relay Interview] Kim Du-kwan, Democratic Party Lawmaker
Late President Roh Moo-hyun and President Moon Jae-in Also Won Presidential Elections with Yeongnam-Origin Strategy
Ruling Party's Stronghold Honam Support Alone Does Not Expand Votes in the General Election

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Oh Ju-yeon] The Yeongnam candidate theory is the primary weapon of presidential candidate Kim Du-gwan, who has somewhat low approval ratings in major polls. He did not feel the need to elaborate on the advantage of being the only ruling party candidate with a political base in Yeongnam. Instead, he retorted, "What more needs to be said?" Regarding the 'postponement of the presidential primary' debate within the Democratic Party, he said, "It is better to postpone for the sake of excitement." On the 'basic income' proposed by Lee Jae-myung, the most likely ruling party presidential candidate and governor of Gyeonggi Province, he criticized it as "completely shaking the welfare system." He was interviewed on the 31st of last month at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul.

Basic Asset System to Resolve Inequality
A Proposal to Supplement Asset Gaps
Different from Lee Jae-myung’s Basic Income

Kim Du-gwan, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

◆Resolving Polarization and Inequality is the Spirit of Presidential Candidacy= "Where else can you find such competitiveness for regime re-creation?" The Yeongnam candidate theory is a strategy that a party based in Honam must select a candidate from Yeongnam to win the presidential election. It also has great significance in overcoming the population gap between Yeongnam and Honam. The election of the current President Moon Jae-in from the late President Roh Moo-hyun can also be interpreted based on this strategy.

Kim explained his unique comparative advantage, which is absent in the so-called ruling party 'Big 3'?Lee Jae-myung, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yon, and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. Out of five election victories as county governor, provincial governor, and member of the National Assembly, four were in Yeongnam. Kim called himself 'the son of Gyeongnam' and Gyeongnam 'the mother's embrace,' asserting, "The support the Big 3 receive in the ruling party’s stronghold (Honam) does not have an expansion effect in the general election."

The interview then shifted to what Kim Du-gwan’s vision is beyond his regional advantage. He said, "Resolving inequality, a decentralized state, and balanced development?these three are the spirit of the times." As a concrete measure to resolve inequality, he proposed the ‘National Basic Asset System.’ This involves giving 30 million won to every newborn. The money would be entrusted to a specialized institution and returned as about 60 million won after 20 years. Kim expects that young people receiving this lump sum could pay for university tuition, and several people could pool their money for startup capital or housing facilities.

He explained, "The amount was calculated within feasible financial resources and to be an amount that youth can feel as an ‘asset.’" To give 30 million won to newborns (based on 270,000 births per year) would require about 8.1 trillion won annually. This is about 1.4% of the annual national budget of 600 trillion won, so the burden is not large. In a situation where self-deprecating expressions like ‘gold spoon’ and ‘dirt spoon’ are used to describe social classes based on parental assets, Kim said, "At least, shouldn’t we give the opportunity to be a ‘bronze spoon’ or ‘silver spoon’?"

He added, "Last year, 10.4 trillion won was collected from inheritance and gift taxes, and I believe this will increase in the future," proposing "to allocate inheritance and gift taxes to a special account to be used for resolving asset inequality." By using inheritance and gift taxes as ‘earmarked taxes,’ it can philosophically imply that social equity is embedded in these taxes.

Kim Du-gwan, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Efforts for Decentralization and Balanced Development
Damaged After Conservative Governments’ Rule
Pushing for Relocation of Blue House and National Assembly
Supreme Court and Constitutional Court Should Also Move to Create Judicial New Town

◆Different Starting Point from Lee Jae-myung’s Basic Income= The ‘basic series’ is the trademark of his intra-party competitor, Governor Lee. When asked how it differs from ‘Lee Jae-myung’s basic income,’ Kim replied, "The trajectories are different."

Kim explained, "(Lee’s basic income concept) is based on the premise that technological progress and industrial structural changes will reduce quality jobs, so basic income should be guaranteed. But the basic asset is aimed at supplementing asset gaps, and since the Fourth Industrial Revolution is expected to create new jobs, the starting points differ." Furthermore, "Basic income proposes giving 500,000 won per person per month, about 6 million won per year, which costs about 318 trillion won, half of the annual budget," adding, "This completely shakes the welfare system." To realize basic income, existing child allowances and basic livelihood security systems would all need to be revised.

Having held five basic asset forums since September last year, he plans to propose related legislation and publish a book. Kim emphasized, "I want to say that I have thought about this more deeply than anyone else."

◆Relocate Blue House and National Assembly and Establish Judicial New Town= Kim proposes a mid- to long-term national vision that completely changes the Seoul-centered national land development paradigm. He also expressed his ambition to lead his unique presidential agenda around this. He pointed out that efforts for decentralization and balanced development, pursued during the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations, were damaged and disappeared during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye governments, leading again to concentration in the metropolitan area. As a concrete alternative, he proposed ‘completion of the administrative capital.’

Kim emphasized, "The National Assembly should be relocated completely, not partially, and the Blue House should also be pushed to relocate to the provinces." He also proposed relocating the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court to create a ‘Judicial New Town.’

Kim said he would actively discuss these policy ideas with other presidential candidates and expressed support for the ‘postponement of the primary schedule’ controversy currently stirring within the party. He said, "Since it is a matter for the party leadership to decide, it seems inappropriate for me as a presidential candidate to comment further," but asked, "The People Power Party will hold a large-scale primary after November without masks, creating excitement, but if the Democratic Party holds the primary as scheduled (in September), we would have to place chairs far apart and wear masks. Which choice is better for the party?"

‘Little Roh Moo-hyun’ Starting to Make His Presence Felt
"People Don’t Trust the Prosecution, Won’t Choose Yoon Seok-youl"

Kim Du-gwan, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In 2012, then-Governor Kim Du-gwan of Gyeongnam resigned from his second year in office to run in the presidential primary. Nine years later, in 2021, he candidly called that decision a ‘misjudgment.’ His confession on this is included in his autobiography ‘There Was No Flower Road,’ published on the 9th. Kim said, "It was a big misjudgment to think that only I could bring about regime change," adding, "There have been times of hardship, and through serving twice as a member of the National Assembly, I have gained more insight into state affairs. I am better prepared now."

Starting his political career by winning the Namhae County head election in 1995, he earned the nickname ‘Little Roh Moo-hyun’ while serving as the first Minister of the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs under the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2003. He also served as a special political advisor to the late President Roh Moo-hyun. He was elected governor of Gyeongnam in 2010 but resigned two years later to run for president. He was elected to the National Assembly in 2016 from the Gimpo district and was re-elected in 2020 from his current district in Yangsan, Gyeongnam.

In the interview, Kim did not hold back criticism toward the Democratic Party. Regarding rising apartment prices, he strongly criticized, "It is entirely the Democratic Party’s responsibility." He said the party must show firmer will and clear action on real estate issues. On the controversy over the Democratic Party’s real estate special committee’s retreat on real estate taxation, he remarked, "It sends the message that borrowing to buy a house is the best investment."

Regarding Yoon Seok-youl, a leading opposition presidential candidate and former Prosecutor General, Kim asserted, "The people will not choose him (as president)." He questioned how someone whose job is to investigate and judge ‘whether someone is a criminal or not’ can be entrusted with ‘the country’s future.’ Kim said, "The public has seen and knows well what kind of organization the prosecution is. It is not a highly trusted group," adding, "A national leader must have comprehensive administrative and political qualities and experience."

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