Former Lawmaker Kim Yongtae Appointed as Head of Sponsorship Committee for Andong Mayoral Candidate Kwon Baekshin

On March 5, Kim Yongtae, former member of the National Assembly, announced that he will serve as the head of the sponsorship committee for Kwon Baekshin, former CEO of KORAIL Tourism Development, who has declared his candidacy as a preliminary candidate for mayor of Andong from the People Power Party.

Kim stated, “Although we are far apart, when I think of our long-standing relationship, I am willing to help with anything, no matter how difficult,” explaining his reason for accepting the role as sponsorship committee chair.

Yongtae Kim, former member of the National Assembly

He added, “I know candidate Kwon Baekshin better than anyone, as we have shared joys and sorrows together since our university days and throughout our political careers.” He further assessed, “Kwon Baekshin possesses the character of 'outward gentleness, inward strength' and the firm resolve of 'unyielding grass in a fierce wind.'”

There are also well-known anecdotes about Kim Yongtae. After entering university, he became interested in political activities and began networking with various political figures, including Kim Moonsoo, Lee Ujae, Lee Jaeoh, Cha Myeongjin, and Kim Seongsik. Naturally, he continued his political activities and, in the 2008 18th National Assembly election, was elected in Yangcheon-eul, Seoul, as the candidate of the Grand National Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party.

Kim is highly regarded for achieving three consecutive terms in Yangcheon-eul, a traditionally difficult district for conservative parties where the Democratic Party had produced National Assembly members for 28 years, and for his contributions to local development. His parliamentary performance has also been rated very highly. Mok-dong and Sinwol-dong, which are divided into Gap and Eul within Yangcheon District, were notorious for their significant polarization in income, real estate prices, and education. However, during Kim Yongtae’s tenure, this polarization is said to have been significantly reduced.

Meanwhile, it is known that candidate Kwon Baekshin and former lawmaker Kim Yongtae are alumni of the Department of Political Science at Seoul National University. After Kim was elected to the National Assembly in 2008, Kwon served as Kim’s aide from 2014, continuing their long-standing partnership as political colleagues.

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