The 'Third Zone' Expanding the Presidential Race... Kim Dong-yeon, Geum Tae-seop, and Ahn Cheol-soo Advocating Reform

Geum Tae-seop to Start Seonhupo Forum Activities Around the 10th
Ahn Cheol-soo Expected to Announce Candidacy Before or After Chuseok

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Kim Dong-yeon announced his candidacy in a video released on 'Kim Dong-yeon TV' on the 8th.
[Photo source = Video capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As the ruling and opposition parties' primary election procedures are in full swing, figures from the 'third zone' are also jumping into the presidential race one after another, expanding the field. They send the same message with the intention of breaking the old political scene and showing new politics. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Kim Dong-yeon officially declared his presidential candidacy online on the 8th, and former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who announced plans to establish a forum with former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon the day before, will officially start activities on the 10th.

In a video declaring his presidential candidacy released on his YouTube channel that day, former Minister Kim said, "I will achieve a quiet revolution for a new decade," adding, "We must completely change from a 'privileged republic' to an 'opportunity republic.' We must break the winner-takes-all structure." Following his announcement of candidacy in his hometown, Eumseong, Chungbuk, on the 20th of last month, he presented a more concrete vision that day. As a way to change the political scene, he proposed founding a 'political startup.' This means building a new organizational system that can embrace people who do not belong to existing camps or parties.

He also proposed the 'Common Pledge Promotion Citizens' Council' to other presidential candidates, saying he would lead a 'bottom-up rebellion' with citizens as the main actors. Former Minister Kim said, "Let's create a 'Common Pledge Promotion Citizens' Council' where citizens are the main actors and participate," and added, "The common pledges should be jointly promoted regardless of the election outcome."

Former Assemblyman Geum Tae-seop [Image source=Yonhap News]

Former lawmaker Geum, who formed the third zone with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, also began public activities. The day before, via Facebook, he announced the creation of the 'Seonhu Forum,' a group thinking about the post-election period, together with former professor Jin, co-author of the 'Black Book on Cho Kuk,' and lawyer Kwon Kyung-ae, and decided to propose alternatives. On the morning of the day, former lawmaker Geum explained on CBS Radio, "From the perspective of young people, there is a saying that 'no matter who wins, the future is bleak,'" adding, "We created the forum with the intention that our lives should improve after the election." He pointed out that Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon "fail to show a vision differentiated from the current government," and that former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo "have no alternatives to present."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party and considered a leading candidate in the pan-opposition camp, is expected to enter the presidential race around the Chuseok holiday. On the morning of the day, Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, said on TBS Radio, "Even now, the Democratic Party and People Power Party are showing total confusion, and party members and supporters are strongly demanding Ahn’s candidacy," adding, "He plans to respond to the demands of party members and the public." After the highest council meeting on the 13th of last month, Ahn expressed a positive intention to meet with former Minister Kim to reporters, but it is reported that no contact has been made so far.

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