[Exclusive] Kim Dong-yeon at a Crossroad: 'Resignation or Completion'... Could He Become a Catalyst for Candidate Unification?

Election Costs and Low Approval Ratings Cause Concern... Decision Expected by Early Next Week
If the Ruling Party Chooses Unification, the Unification Process Among Candidates Will Likely Accelerate

Presidential candidate Kim Dong-yeon. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Junyi] Kim Dong-yeon, the presidential candidate of Saerounmulgyeol, is facing a decision at the crossroads between ‘completing the presidential race’ and ‘withdrawing.’ Since he has strongly expressed his intention to complete the race, considering the practical issues, there is a high possibility that he may withdraw his candidacy.

A Saerounmulgyeol official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 10th, "Candidate Kim is in the final stages of deliberation over whether to register as a candidate," adding, "If he decides not to complete the race, he will announce his position sometime this week or early next week." Ahead of the presidential candidate registration days (13th?14th), Kim has recently suspended all schedules except for a private campaign committee meeting. The campaign committee is also waiting solely for the candidate’s decision.

The reason Candidate Kim, who had strongly expressed his intention to complete the race, is now deliberating is reportedly due to practical issues such as high election costs and low approval ratings. Running for president typically requires a deposit of 300 million KRW and tens to hundreds of millions of won for banners, promotional materials, and campaign vehicles. However, the total amount Kim has raised so far is about 2.5 billion KRW, which is the limit for party member donations.

Regarding this, Kim stated on Facebook the day before, "It is like fighting on a battlefield where missiles are raining down with only a rifle," and added, "I will conduct the election transparently and cleanly within the legally received donation limits. Although I am facing this with a rifle, I will do so frugally and honorably in the eyes of the people." Moreover, with his approval ratings remaining in the 0% range continuously, it is also necessary to consider whether there is any benefit in completing the race.

There is also a possibility that Kim might choose unification with the ruling party as an alternative to achieving his goals. On this, an official explained, "There are frequent proposals for unification coming from various places," and added, "However, the candidate said he would consider whether completing the race is the way to achieve his goals or if there are other methods."

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