Is the Biggest Variable in the Gyeonggi Governor Election the 'Kim Eun-hye-Kang Yong-seok Unification'?

Kim Eun-hye "Not Considering Pros and Cons... Will Do My Best for the Residents"
Kang Yong-seok "I Have No Intention to Let Kim Dong-yeon Win by Default"

Kim Eun-hye, the People Power Party candidate (left), and Kang Yong-seok, the independent candidate (right), running for Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections. / KBS YouTube capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] In the highly contested Gyeonggi Province governor election on June 1, attention is focused on whether the People Power Party candidate Kim Eun-hye and independent candidate Kang Yong-seok will unify. In the context of a tight race between Kim Eun-hye and Kim Dong-yeon (the Democratic Party candidate), the question of unification is expected to be the biggest variable determining the outcome of the Gyeonggi Province governor election.

On the 13th, in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' candidate Kim avoided giving a specific answer regarding unification with candidate Kang, saying, "I am the People Power Party candidate elected by party members and the public. Therefore, I think it is inappropriate to discuss such matters for my own benefit. I am not approaching this with any assumptions or expectations in advance."

However, in an interview the previous day with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' candidate Kim did not rule out the possibility, stating, "I will follow the perspective that the residents of Gyeonggi Province believe is right." She added, "Who has prepared for Gyeonggi Province, who offers better alternatives, and who can help us live better?on that front, I will do my best."

In recent polls related to the Gyeonggi Province governor election, candidate Kang has emerged as a variable with support in the 5% range. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) commissioned by Herald Economy from June 10 to 11, targeting 802 residents aged 18 and over in Gyeonggi Province (sampling error ±3.5 percentage points at 95% confidence level, 100% wireless phone ARS method), Democratic Party candidate Kim Dong-yeon recorded 42.4%, and candidate Kim Eun-hye 41.8%. The gap between the two candidates was 0.6 percentage points, indicating a close race within the margin of error. Candidate Kang's support was 5.1%.

Candidate Kang is also keeping the possibility of unification with candidate Kim open. In an interview with Korea Economic Daily on the 13th, Kang said, "I do not want to engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations or deals, so unification depends on them (candidate Kim). I have already made the conditions for unification public. We can see who has higher support through polls." He added, "The loser should help the winner campaign diligently. I have no intention of letting candidate Kim Dong-yeon win by default." He said that even if he unifies with candidate Kim, they will compete in good faith.

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