Kim Dong-yeon Declares Candidacy for Gyeonggi Governor: "Gyeonggi at the Heart of Korea... I Will Stake Everything"

Democratic Party Faces 4-Way Primary Battle Including Preliminary Candidates Jo Jeong-sik, Ahn Min-seok, and Yeom Tae-young
Former Lawmaker Yoo Seung-min Also Expected to Announce Candidacy This Afternoon

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Kim Dong-yeon, leader of Saerounmulgyeol, has announced his candidacy for Governor of Gyeonggi Province. Accordingly, the Democratic Party's primary for Gyeonggi Province governor is expected to unfold into a four-way race, including preliminary candidates Cho Jung-sik, Ahn Min-seok, and Yeom Tae-young.

Kim Dong-yeon, leader of Saerounmulgyeol, is declaring his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

On the 31st, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in the morning and officially declared his candidacy for governor, saying, "I will put everything I have into making Gyeonggi Province new."

Kim stated, "I will make Gyeonggi Province the new center leading the change of the Republic of Korea," praising Gyeonggi Province as a "small Korea where one-quarter of the entire population of the Republic of Korea lives."

Seemingly aware of criticism that he is running in Gyeonggi Province without local ties and only relying on name recognition and the Lee Jae-myung halo effect, Kim emphasized, "I have lived half of my life in Gwangju, Seongnam, Gwacheon, Anyang, and Uiwang, and I have worked in Gyeonggi Province for 20 years as a public official and university president. I know Gyeonggi Province better than anyone and have deep affection for it." He added, "Gyeonggi Province is the place that gave me opportunities, and now it is the place I must dedicate myself to."

He vowed to accomplish livelihood stability, peaceful coexistence, balanced development, and political change in Gyeonggi Province, raising his voice to say, "I will definitely win the election in Gyeonggi Province." He also said he is the right person to check the arrogance of the newly launched Yoon Seok-yeol government, fulfill the promises of former Governor Lee Jae-myung, and achieve political change, stating, "I will lead the entire local elections of the pro-political change forces and become the candidate who definitely wins."

As the Democratic Party and Saerounmulgyeol have begun merger discussions, Kim is expected to participate in the Democratic Party primary.

After the fierce primary battle with Democratic Party lawmakers Cho Jung-sik and Ahn Min-seok and former Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young, a big match with former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min awaits. Yoo is also scheduled to hold a press conference regarding his candidacy for governor of Gyeonggi Province this afternoon, so the 'Kim Dong-yeon vs. Yoo Seung-min' showdown is already gaining momentum for the Gyeonggi governorship.

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