[Politics, That Day...] Independence Activist and Presidential Bid, Kim Tae-ho's Gamble on the 'Gyeongnam Great Expectation'

July 11, 2012, Saenuri Party Presidential Candidate Challenge at Namsan An Jung-geun Memorial Hall
Expressed Aspiration for 'Changing the Old Political Generation' at a Site Symbolizing Independence Activists

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min]

Editor's Note‘Politics, That Day...’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to scenes, events, and figures that deserve attention.

The reason why those with a political base in Gyeongsangnam-do have been highlighted in past presidential elections is related to the unique regional structure of Korean politics. In the regional divide between Yeongnam and Honam, the political hegemon of Gyeongnam can secure a favorable position. This is due to the population composition.

Among the 17 metropolitan autonomous entities nationwide, the most populous areas are Gyeonggi-do and Seoul. According to Statistics Korea, as of May this year, the population based on resident registration is 13.48 million in Gyeonggi-do and 9.57 million in Seoul. There is a region competing for a virtual joint third place with a significant gap from these areas.

Busan and Gyeongnam. Busan has 3.36 million people, and Gyeongnam has 3.32 million. Even those interested in politics often do not realize the scale of Gyeongnam’s population. In practical politics, Gyeongnam’s population is large enough to significantly influence the presidential election landscape. It is no coincidence that politicians from Gyeongnam have won past presidential elections (former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Moon Jae-in).

In the 2022 presidential election as well, Representative Kim Du-kwan and Representative Hong Joon-pyo, both former governors of Gyeongnam, entered the competition as presidential candidates from the ruling and opposition parties respectively. Although both served as governors of Gyeongnam, their careers on the central political stage are also considerable. The figure who started politics in Gyeongnam and grew into a presidential candidate, better fitting the practical meaning of the ‘Gyeongnam Great Ambition Theory,’ is politician Kim Hyuk-kyu, who served three terms as governor of Gyeongnam.

Politician Kim Hyuk-kyu, originally from the Grand National Party, even made a bold move by joining the Uri Party but did not realize his presidential dream.

Kim Tae-ho, the Liberty Korea Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, is delivering a keynote speech at the Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Candidate Invitational Kwanhoon Debate held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on May 8, 2018. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

In the 2012 presidential election, another dark horse who inherited the Gyeongnam Great Ambition Theory appeared. It was former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Tae-ho, who served as a member of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council and as mayor of Geochang County. At the time, he was the youngest among the candidates participating in the Saenuri Party primary at the age of 50 when he declared his presidential bid.

Politician Kim Tae-ho’s competitiveness was confirmed in the April 2011 by-election. He clashed with politician Kim Kyung-soo (current governor of Gyeongnam), famous as the last secretary to former President Roh Moo-hyun, for a National Assembly seat in Gimhae-eul, Gyeongnam.

Gimhae-eul is a symbolic area as the hometown of former President Roh and a stronghold of the Democratic Party. Politician Kim Tae-ho, who served as governor of Gyeongnam, fought hard in what was considered a difficult district and ultimately won. Following his victory in the April 2011 by-election, he declared his presidential bid on July 11, 2012.

What is noteworthy is that the place where he announced his presidential candidacy was the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall on Namsan in Seoul. There, he expressed his ambition by declaring, “I declare a generational change in old politics.” Politician Kim Tae-ho explained the background of his choice of location in an interview on July 12, 2012, on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show.’

“The battlefield against old politics must ultimately be a fight for one’s life. In that sense, like the spirit of Ahn Jung-geun, I will fearlessly jump right into the center of it. You can see it as a place that embodies such a strong resolve.”

The memorial ceremony for the 107th anniversary of the martyrdom of Ahn Jung-geun, held on March 26 at the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall.

Just as Ahn Jung-geun devoted his youth to Korea’s independence by confronting Japanese imperialism at a young age, this is a pledge to throw oneself into changing the reality of politics. It is a common method for politicians to announce their political transformation ambitions or presidential bids in spaces commemorating independence activists.

On March 19, 2007, politician Sohn Hak-kyu declared his departure from the Grand National Party at the Baekbeom Memorial Hall. Why did politician Sohn Hak-kyu choose the Baekbeom Memorial Hall as the place to announce his ambition for a major transformation in Korean politics? Delivering a message in a space symbolizing independence activists is a strategic move to amplify political impact.

The problem comes next. The political synergy effect depends on the actions taken after declaring one’s candidacy. Both politicians Sohn Hak-kyu and Kim Tae-ho succeeded in shaking up the presidential election landscape but did not become the final winners. Politician Sohn Hak-kyu withdrew from practical politics, but politician Kim Tae-ho still has opportunities.

Why did these two fail to realize their dreams in the 2007 and 2012 presidential elections respectively? Although they succeeded in attracting public attention by delivering political messages in spaces symbolizing independence activists, their subsequent actions may not have met public expectations. If they declared their ambition to govern the country in places symbolizing respected independence activists, it means they must prove themselves as political leaders with such capabilities.

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