Kim Eun-hye "Did you have concerns about Gyeonggi-do?"... Yoo Seung-min "Public sentiment is more important than Yoon's favor"

Preliminary Contest Among Party Candidates Heats Up
Kim Eun-hye: "Will Build a Strong Gyeonggi-do Through Cooperation"
Yoo Seung-min: "Will Restore Gyeonggi-do's Pride"

Kim Eun-hye, a member of the People Power Party, holds a press conference declaring her candidacy for Governor of Gyeonggi Province at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 6th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Former People Power Party lawmakers Yoo Seung-min and Kim Eun-hye, both running for Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections, have been engaged in a daily war of nerves.

Kim, who served as spokesperson for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, expressed confidence that she has the stronger justification for running. On the 7th, she appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and pointed out, "At the very least, if you intend to become governor, it is normal to have had some minimum level of consideration about what problems Gyeonggi Province faces and how to solve them."

Kim claimed toward former lawmaker Yoo, "With all due respect, before entering this election, Kim Eun-hye had concerns about Gyeonggi Province, while former lawmaker Yoo was contemplating retirement from politics. I believe this subtle difference will produce significantly different results in both the primary and the general election."

However, regarding some criticisms about regional ties, Kim emphasized, "In the case of former lawmaker Yoo, I think it is petty to question whether he is from Gyeonggi Province or not. In this global era, if someone has demonstrated their capabilities and skills for the people of Gyeonggi, we should welcome anyone."

When asked by the host whether she acknowledges being part of the 'Yoon core group,' Kim responded, "As a spokesperson, I must always understand the President-elect's intentions, and discussions about current issues inevitably occur. In that sense, if you refer to the Yoon core group, I would say that everyone who voted for President-elect Yoon during this regime change should be called part of the Yoon core group."

She also stressed cooperation with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon for Gyeonggi Province's development. Kim said, "To become a powerful Gyeonggi Province, we need someone who can strongly reach consensus. Since I have worked with current Mayor Oh Se-hoon since the by-election, I can achieve the complex cooperation involving related organizations, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Seoul City, such as laying a single railway track."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 31st of last month to officially announce his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the other hand, former lawmaker Yoo expressed his determination to restore Gyeonggi Province's pride. On the 7th, he appeared on KBS Radio's "Joo Jin-woo Live" and said about the Democratic Party candidates, "Whoever it is, it will be a difficult election for the People Power Party, but I will reclaim the governorship of Gyeonggi Province and restore the lost pride of Gyeonggi."

When the host asked, "There are opinions that the pro-Yoon faction is gathering to bring down Yoo Seung-min," Yoo replied, "There is no 'Yoon mind.' I am confident that the President-elect's mind is not like that. During the presidential election, I declared support for the President-elect and helped him, and when I announced my candidacy for governor and called him, he said, 'I support you.'"

Yoo then targeted the Yoon core group, saying, "It is not the President-elect's mind, but if so-called 'Yoon core group' people around him try to line people up or coerce, they should restrain themselves. I think it could rather harm the President-elect."

He also said, "Rather than selling someone's mind, whether Yoon's, Park's, or Democratic Party's, what is important is the sentiment of the people of Gyeonggi Province. Politicians should keep their center, have conviction, and sincerely appeal directly to the residents. Relying on someone's favor to do politics damages the pride of the residents."

Regarding criticisms about lacking ties to Gyeonggi Province, Yoo countered, "On the contrary, not having ties is an advantage." Yoo said, "In my political career, I have been to every corner of Gyeonggi Province, from the northernmost to the southernmost, and from the westernmost to the easternmost. Ties mean regional, academic, or blood relations, and I think not having ties is an advantage. When you think of Gyeonggi Province, you shouldn't keep thinking about Daejang-dong or corporate credit cards. This time, I believe a clean and upright governor is needed, and that is why I am challenging."

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