Tension Over Gyeonggi Governor Seat... An Min-seok "Model Student Not Suitable Now" vs Kim Dong-yeon "No Need to Worry at All"

An Min-seok "Only Leaders Like Yi Sun-sin Can Protect Gyeonggi-do"
Kim Dong-yeon "34 Years of National Administration Experience... High Understanding of Administration and Politics"

Ahn Min-seok, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Wooseok] The intra-party tensions within the ruling party are intensifying over the Gyeonggi Province governor seat in the June 1 local elections. Ahn Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Kim Dong-yeon, leader of the New Wave, calling him a "model student, a good scholar type" and said he does not fit the spirit of the times. Kim responded by saying, "There is no need to worry at all."

On the 30th, Ahn appeared on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' and said, "I think Leader Kim Dong-yeon's actions are like a disruptor in politics," adding, "(I heard from key insiders) that he decided on Gyeonggi Province. This is what is called a disruption operation," criticizing Kim.

Regarding the recent phone call by Lee Jae-myung, the standing advisor, suggesting "Song Young-gil for Seoul, Kim Dong-yeon for Gyeonggi," Ahn said, "The Democratic Party's public relations team immediately denied it as false news," and added, "This is not just a mere happening; it seems someone is playing the media right now."

Ahn said, "Cho Jung-sik, Yeom Tae-young, and Kim Dong-yeon are all close to me, but their common trait is being model students, good scholar types," and continued, "I have never been called a model student in my life. I always resist vested interests and cannot tolerate injustice; that is my nature."

He added, "Now, the era of barbarism is approaching Gyeonggi Province," and said, "I believe that unless there is a leader with the determination like Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Gyeonggi Province cannot be protected in this era of barbarism. I believe I possess a certain degree of the resolute leadership of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, whom I respect."

Kim Dong-yeon, Leader of Saeroun Mulgyeol

Kim also appeared on the same broadcast that day to officially announce his candidacy for the local elections. He expressed his ambition, saying, "I will declare my candidacy for the local elections. If given the opportunity in the local government where I run, I will change that local government and through that, change the Republic of Korea."

Regarding Ahn's "model student" criticism, he rebutted, "There is no need to worry at all," adding, "Having a loud voice or speaking harshly does not mean having driving force. What matters is the inner resolve, conviction, firmness, along with the outward honesty, cleanliness, and uprightness. Having these together is good."

On the merger with the Democratic Party, he explained, "Since the presidential election when I formed a so-called value alliance with candidate Lee Jae-myung, breaking the current two-party structure and moving toward a multiparty system has been an important agenda," and added, "The Democratic Party also took actions through its party meeting to implement this (multiparty system). Therefore, please understand that accepting the proposal to form a joint political reform committee and to merge this time is a will to enter and practice such a multiparty system."

Kim emphasized, "I have participated in national administration for 34 years," and said, "Administrative grammar and political grammar are quite different, but no administration or decision-making can be done without politics, and no politics can be done without administrative politics. I am confident that I have fulfilled these two through my long bureaucratic career and my presidential candidacy."

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