Kim Du-gwan: "We Will Secure 15 of the 40 Seats in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam"

Defend 5 Seats in Nakdonggang Belt, Will Perform Well Across Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam

Kim Du-gwan, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

As the People Power Party deploys senior lawmakers across the so-called ‘Nakdong River Belt’ to prepare for reclaiming opposition constituencies, Kim Du-gwan, the senior figure among the Democratic Party candidates in the region, stated on the 16th, “Since the people’s livelihood economy is on the brink of collapse, I don’t think public sentiment will change just because a few senior players are replaced,” and announced his intention to campaign with the goal of defending the Nakdong River Belt and securing 15 seats in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) region.

The Nakdong River Belt refers to areas along the lower reaches of the Nakdong River, considered relatively favorable constituencies within the Democratic Party’s tough PK (Busan and Gyeongnam) region. Former President Roh Moo-hyun’s Bongha Village and former President Moon Jae-in’s Pyeongsan Village are also concentrated here. There are nine constituencies in total (Gyeongnam Gimhae Gap and Eul, Yangsan Gap and Eul, Busan Bukgangseo Gap and Eul, Saha Gap and Eul, Sasang).

In an interview on MBC Radio’s 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus,' Kim, who is running in Yangsan Eul, said, “Our Gyeongnam Democratic Party is taking an offensive stance aiming not just to defend the Nakdong River Belt but to win half of the 16 seats in Gyeongnam overall,” adding, “It seems that those who have lost in the People Power Party’s factional struggles tend to be sent to the Nakdong River Belt.” Kim particularly emphasized, “We will defend the five seats currently held by the Democratic Party out of the nine Nakdong River Belt constituencies,” and said, “Out of the 40 Bu-Ul-Gyeong seats, we currently hold only seven seats?three in Busan, three in Gyeongnam, and one in Ulsan?but we expect meaningful results aiming to increase this to 15 seats and achieve double-digit wins.”

He also said, “(Regarding the ruling party’s call to reclaim the Nakdong River Belt and the deployment of lawmakers Kim Tae-ho, Seo Byung-soo, and Cho Hae-jin) Although the People Power Party’s nomination committee has packaged it nicely, it feels like those who lost in the party’s factional struggles are being sacrificed and sent to the front lines.”

Kim Byung-gi, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's Public Relations Committee, is announcing the candidates for the first primary election at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 6th. On the left is Im Hyuk-baek, chairman of the Public Relations Committee. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party on the previous day gave uncontested nominations to incumbent lawmakers Choi In-ho, Kim Du-gwan, Min Hong-chul, and Kim Jung-ho for the constituencies of Busan Saha Gap and Gyeongnam Yangsan Eul, Gimhae Gap and Eul, which are considered part of the ‘Nakdong River Belt.’ Additionally, former NCSoft executive Lee Jae-sung, a recruited talent, was strategically nominated for Saha Eul. Including Byun Sung-wan in Busan Bukgangseo Eul and Lee Jae-young in Gyeongnam Yangsan Gap, who were previously announced as uncontested nominees, the Democratic Party has effectively started the general election campaign in seven out of the nine Nakdong River Belt constituencies.

In response, the People Power Party, whose nomination schedule is later than the Democratic Party’s, is also expected to officially confirm uncontested nominations in the Nakdong River Belt and quickly shift into general election mode. Since the People Power Party’s nomination committee has recommended that lawmakers Seo Byung-soo, Kim Tae-ho, and Cho Hae-jin move to Bukgangseo Gap, Yangsan Eul, and Gimhae Eul respectively, the prevailing view is that uncontested nominations for these candidates are almost certain.

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