Kim Dong-yeon Administration in Gyeonggi-do Continues Former Lee Jae-myung's Policies... Gyeonggi Chance Opens Up Provincial Government

Kim Dong-yeon, the Democratic Party of Korea's governor-elect of Gyeonggi Province (fifth from the left in the front row), is applauding with supporters as the vote count results are announced.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] 'Masterpiece Fairy Tales and Gyeonggi Chance'

Kim Dong-yeon (62), the Democratic Party candidate, was elected as the new head of Gyeonggi Province, with a population of 13.57 million. Throughout the election period, Kim pledged to continue the policies of former Governor Lee Jae-myung by presenting 15 policies in the form of 'Masterpiece Fairy Tales.' The term 'Masterpiece Fairy Tales' is a portmanteau combining Lee Jae-myung's 'Myung' and Kim Dong-yeon's 'Dong,' meaning 'Created by Lee Jae-myung and blossomed by Kim Dong-yeon.'

First, he promised to expand the 'basic income.' Basic income was the flagship project of former Governor Lee Jae-myung. Kim stated that he would expand basic income to cultural and artistic activities and continue the existing 'Farmer Basic Income' currently implemented in 17 cities and counties, as well as the 'Youth Basic Income' paid to all 24-year-olds.

He also plans to expand the 'Ultra-Low Credit Loan.' This loan system allows ultra-low credit borrowers to receive loans up to 3 million KRW at an annual interest rate of 1% to prevent them from falling into illegal private loans. Kim intends to transform the ultra-low credit loan into a permanent operating system in cooperation with financial institutions and introduce a donation system to expand the program.

Kim also proposed the 'Emergency Meal Care System.' This system provides direct assistance to residents whose household circumstances have worsened due to sudden layoffs or business closures. Additionally, he plans to expand the provision of agricultural food vouchers for vulnerable groups and continue to promote the 'Children’s Healthy Fruit Supply' and 'Free Food Distribution' programs introduced during former Governor Lee Jae-myung’s administration.

He will also expand public postpartum care centers and rest areas for platform workers. Other initiatives include operating late-night buses in Gyeonggi to ease residents' burdens when returning home late, expanding the Gyeonggi Youth Military Service Injury Insurance Plus, and establishing the Gyeonggi Veterinary Forensic Medicine Center.

While these projects continue former Governor Lee Jae-myung’s policies, 'Gyeonggi Chance' consists entirely of Kim Dong-yeon’s own policies. 'Gyeonggi Chance' is a coined term inspired by the popular phrase 'Appa Chance' (a term referring to children benefiting from their father’s position or connections). It subtly expresses that numerous opportunities will arise in Gyeonggi Province once he becomes governor.

He pledged to extend Subway Line 5 and the GTX-D line to Hanam and to establish the Gyeonggi Northern Special Autonomous Province. Other key pledges include pushing forward the long-stalled relocation of Suwon Military Airport, attracting a second Job World to northern Gyeonggi, and nurturing 10,000 high-level software talents by establishing a digital talent training institution similar to France’s '?cole 42.'

Some of his pledges are quite bold, such as supplying 50% discounted apartments to youth and establishing 30,000 startups. Reflecting on his eldest son who passed away from leukemia, Kim also draws attention with plans to expand the Blue Semester system (a program allowing students to propose courses) and the After You program (overseas university training for low-income students), which he introduced as a university president.

The election result for Kim Dong-yeon was as dramatic as his life story. On the 1st, exit polls from three major broadcasters showed him narrowly trailing his opponent, with his chances of winning lagging by more than 20 percentage points. However, in the final counting on the 2nd, he made a strong comeback and edged out his opponent by 0.14 percentage points, surviving the 'death zone.' With this, he solidified his status as the head of the nation’s largest metropolitan government and as a leading candidate for the next presidential election.

Kim’s childhood was truly difficult. Born in 1957 in Eumseong, Chungbuk, he lost his father at age 11 and lived in an unauthorized shack in Cheonggyecheon, Seoul. Later, due to urban redevelopment, the shack was demolished, and in the 1970s, he was forcibly relocated to Dandae-dong, Seongnam City. Due to his family’s hardship, attending university was a distant dream. After graduating from Deoksu Commercial High School in Seoul, he joined a bank. However, he could not give up on his dreams and enrolled in the Law Department of the then night school, International University (now Seokyeong University), studying day and night while passing both the legislative and administrative exams. Even today, Kim Dong-yeon is regarded in government circles as a legendary figure of the 'high school graduate myth.'

During the election, Kim emphasized his 34 years of government experience and deep empathy for the lives of ordinary people as his 'comparative advantage.' Residents are already paying close attention to what kind of provincial administration and political path he will pursue based on this advantage.

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