Kim Jin-tae Overcomes Controversial Remarks to Advance to Gangwon Governor Final... Set for Showdown with Lee Kwang-jae

Past 5·18 North Korean Troop Involvement Theory, Jogye Order's Public Authority Deployment Remarks History
Nomination Committee Reverses Decision 4 Days Before Cutoff, Leading to Primary Election
Public Apology Made, but Limitations in Centrist Appeal Remain a Weakness
Wonju Gap Lee Kwang-jae Decides to Run After Struggling with By-election Burden

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae has won the People Power Party's (PPP) gubernatorial primary in Gangwon Province, allowing him to continue his challenge in the June 1 local elections. Kim, who was previously excluded from the nomination (cut-off) due to past controversial remarks, was given a second chance after the PPP's nomination management committee reversed its decision, ultimately securing a spot in the general election. He will face off against Lee Kwang-jae, a Democratic Party lawmaker who has already officially declared his candidacy, for the governorship of Gangwon Province.

On the 23rd, Kim recorded a total vote share of 58.29% in the PPP's internal primary for Gangwon governor, combining votes from responsible party members and general public opinion polls, defeating his competitor, former KBS anchor Hwang Sang-moo, who received 45.88% despite a 10% bonus for being a political newcomer.

Kim's path to becoming the PPP's final candidate was full of surprises. On the 14th, the PPP's nomination committee cut Kim from the race and gave a single nomination to Hwang. Kim Haeng, spokesperson for the nomination committee, explained the cut-off reason: "From the perspective of our party's principle of national unity and progress for the future, some of Mr. Kim Jin-tae's past remarks were judged to hinder national unity." In 2015, Kim sparked backlash from the religious community by stating that public authority should be deployed after the Jogye Order accepted the protection request for Han Sang-gyun, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. In 2019, he co-hosted a public hearing that raised the theory of North Korean involvement in the May 18 Democratic Uprising, for which he received a warning from the central party. These past incidents were cited as reasons that Kim's candidacy would weaken competitiveness in the general election.

Kim immediately protested, citing his consistent overwhelming lead in opinion polls. He even staged a hunger strike in front of the National Assembly. During this process, a controversy over "Yoon's mind" (referring to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's intentions) arose. Speculation suggested that Hwang's role as head of the media strategy planning team for the PPP's election headquarters during the last presidential election, supporting Yoon's TV debate responses, might have influenced the outcome.

As the controversy continued, the nomination committee hinted at the possibility of reconsideration on the condition that Kim issue a public apology. Kim promptly released an apology, stating, "I bow my head and apologize to the people for co-hosting the public hearing," and promised, "I vow never to engage in any actions that distort the essence of the May 18 Democratic Uprising again." Regarding his remarks about the Jogye Order, he said, "Although I spoke with the intention of upholding national law and order, it was clearly excessive," and apologized humbly to the nation's high monks and Buddhists. The nomination committee reversed its decision within four days and decided to hold a primary between Hwang and Kim for the Gangwon gubernatorial candidacy. One committee member said, "We judged that the apology was sincere," reflecting the internal atmosphere. However, limitations in appealing to moderate voters remain a weakness and are expected to be a major point of attack in the general election.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

With Kim selected as the PPP candidate, the matchups between the ruling and opposition parties are now complete. On the 22nd, the Democratic Party designated Gangwon as a strategic electoral district and strategically nominated Lee Kwang-jae, who previously served as governor of Gangwon Province. At a press conference at the National Assembly the day before, Lee officially declared his candidacy, saying, "I want to become a governor who changes the fate of Gangwon Province."

Lee revealed that he had deliberated over running. He felt considerable burden over the fact that he would have to resign from his parliamentary seat if he ran for governor, which would trigger a by-election in his constituency. In 2010, Lee's run for Gangwon governor led to a by-election in his district of Taebaek, Jeongseon, Yeongwol, and Pyeongchang, and the following year, he caused another by-election after losing the governorship seven months into his term due to allegations of illegal political fund receipt.

At the press conference, Lee said, "The party requested me to run several times, but I hesitated because running for governor means I cannot complete my term as a lawmaker, and I felt a strong sense of responsibility as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in the National Assembly." He added, "I needed time to be certain, but now I have decided."

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