‘Return and Reinstatement’ Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo: “Impeachment Will Definitely Happen, We Must Prepare for What Comes Next”

"I believe the impeachment will definitely succeed."

Former Governor of Gyeongnam Province Kim Kyung-soo said this on the 27th during a member meeting of the Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party, while greeting his return to the country and reinstatement to the party.

Kim said, "If the judges are concerned about the future of the Republic of Korea, I believe they will unanimously vote for impeachment."

Former Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Kim Kyung-soo is greeting upon his return and reinstatement at a party members' meeting held at the Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Party Office. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

He stated, "Even if an early presidential election is held after impeachment to change the regime, can the Republic of Korea truly take a new leap forward if the current political situation continues?" He emphasized the need to prepare for the period following impeachment and the early election.

"Regime change is not about power shifting from one party to another, but about restoring democracy in the Republic of Korea and regaining the country's standing in the world," he argued. "It is about creating a page in history that ensures no second martial law or second civil war ever occurs again."

"If the forces that staged the loyalist coup and civil war seize power again, from an international perspective, the Republic of Korea will not just be a backward democracy but will be a day when democracy is declared dead," he added.

He continued, "Countries that have wisely overcome crises commonly had political leaders who took the lead in uniting and harmonizing the people. While a political leader with strong leadership and charisma might emerge and say 'follow me' to overcome the crisis, it is essential to unite the people and political circles to overcome it through social grand compromise," he emphasized.

He also said, "The only party that can prepare together for the post-early election period is the Democratic Party. If the Democratic Party cannot take responsibility for the Republic of Korea, I can assert that the country's future does not exist."

Furthermore, he said, "The government launched with the Democratic Party at its center must gather the democratic forces that supported and agreed with this impeachment and create a grand innovation coalition in governance." He explained, "I personally discussed this with Representative Lee Jae-myung last time and received a response that it would be actively considered."

Regarding the recent controversy over Representative Lee's rightward shift, he said, "It means our party is gaining diversity," and questioned, "Isn't it party democracy when various voices emerge within the party and opinions are gathered through that process?"

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo is receiving a congratulatory bouquet for his return to the country and reinstatement at a party member meeting held at the Democratic Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party Office. Photo by Lee Se-ryeong

At this event, former Governor Kim also mentioned the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Megacity' initiative he promoted during his tenure.

He said, "I feel I cannot make any excuses for not completing my term as governor," and added, "I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize once again."

He continued, "It is regrettable that the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity project was stranded. Although I did not complete my governorship, if the next fourth-term democratic government is established, I will do my part to create a political environment and government that make it impossible not to pursue the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Megacity. That is how I will repay the debt I owe to the residents."

Former Governor Kim was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court in 2021 for the so-called 'Druking comment manipulation' case, in which he allegedly manipulated online public opinion through comments starting November 2016 to support former President Moon Jae-in's election. He served his sentence but was released after about 520 days in prison due to a special pardon by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

Afterward, in August 2023, he went to study abroad in the UK and Germany, but returned early on December 5 last year, shortly after the imposition of emergency martial law, stating, "I will stand with the people to protect the Republic of Korea." He was reinstated to the Democratic Party on the 7th of this month.

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