Kim Dong-yeon Had a Reason for Meeting Consecutively with US and UK Ambassadors to Korea

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met consecutively with the U.S. Ambassador to Korea and the British Ambassador on Christmas Eve, the 24th. This is an extremely unusual event.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for Gyeonggi Province, explained the background of Governor Kim's meetings with the two ambassadors by saying, "The Gyeonggi provincial government is by no means unrelated to the domestic political environment, global affairs, or the international economic situation."

Spokesperson Kang stated, "Four days after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, the market capitalization of the Korean stock market evaporated by a staggering 144 trillion won," and questioned, "Among the retail investors who cried out due to the president's act of rebellion, were there really no residents of Gyeonggi Province?"

He further explained, "The reason Governor Kim Dong-yeon refused to close the provincial office during that situation, defined the martial law as a coup d'?tat, first called for the 'arrest of Yoon Seok-yeol,' demanded impeachment, and even held a one-person protest was to 'eliminate uncertainty' in the domestic political environment," emphasizing, "It was by no means unrelated to provincial administration."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (right) is taking a photo with his cellphone camera while meeting Philip Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, on the 24th. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

He added, "One of the changes in the global situation and international economic environment that Governor Kim is concerned about is the 'launch of the second Trump administration,'" and said, "Amid the worsening martial law crisis, Korean diplomacy is being bypassed. This is why Governor Kim met with the U.S. and British ambassadors in one day."

Regarding recent criticisms about Governor Kim's 'presidential election campaign' following the martial law crisis, Spokesperson Kang dismissed them by saying, "Taking care of the residents' lives is naturally the most fundamental duty for Governor Kim Dong-yeon."

He continued, "On the 23rd, Governor Kim left his home late at night after hearing about a tanker accident on the West Coast Expressway. It was shortly after he had returned from visiting Daeseong Village residents, military personnel, and elderly living alone along the '500-ri Road' that day."

Spokesperson Kang emphasized, "Fortunately, the fire was brought under control, so he turned back," highlighting, "But this shows Governor Kim's approach to provincial administration."

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