Kim Dongyun and Choo Mi-ae Announce Bids for Gyeonggi Governor, Setting Up Fierce Contest for June 3 Local Elections

Kim Visits Railway Underground Construction Site
Choo: "I Will Build a Confident Gyeonggi Province"

With Choo Mi-ae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, and Dongyun Kim, the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, both officially declaring their candidacy for the governorship of Gyeonggi Province on March 12, the ruling party’s competitive landscape has now been set. As of March 2026, Gyeonggi Province is the largest metropolitan government in Korea, with a population exceeding 13.7 million. The political significance and stature of the new governor, who will be elected through the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, are expected to be considerable. In particular, the Democratic Party’s internal primary is drawing as much, if not more, attention than the general election itself.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim (left in the photo) and Democratic Party lawmaker Mi Ae Chu are attending the policy discussion on the analysis of the effects of the 4.5-day workweek pilot project held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 10th, engaging in conversation. Photo by Yonhap News

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Hall that morning, Assemblywoman Choo stated, "I will build a confident Gyeonggi Province that creates jobs through strong growth, shares opportunities through a fair Gyeonggi, enhances residents’ pride with AI-driven administrative innovation and warm welfare."

Choo noted, "Although Gyeonggi Province is the key engine driving Korea’s industry and economy, commutes to work remain difficult. The gap between the southern and northern regions is still severe, and various regulations continue to slow down innovation and growth." She then presented four visions: ‘Strong Growth’, ‘Fair Gyeonggi’, ‘AI Administrative Innovation’, and ‘A Warm Gyeonggi Province’. Choo pledged to foster Gyeonggi Province as the center of Korea’s innovative industries by focusing on semiconductors and AI, as well as nurturing the bio, future mobility, and cultural content sectors, thereby providing quality jobs for young people. She also promised to complete the GTX and JTX (metropolitan express railway) networks early, connecting the entire province into a massive megacity and achieving a ‘transportation revolution’.

Governor Kim, who is seeking re-election, held a press conference at Anyang Station in Gyeonggi Province that same morning to formally announce his bid for a second term. Kim said, "What President Jaemyung Lee is emphasizing most right now is ‘speed and tangible results’. We have no time to waste on trial and error or unnecessary detours," adding, "I, Dongyun Kim, understand the economy, I understand Gyeonggi Province, and I know every corner of its 31 cities and counties." Kim further stated, "I will create change that improves the lives of each and every resident—a ‘Plus Gyeonggi, Right Now, For Me.’ For a president who gets things done, there must be a governor who gets things done. I will become President Jaemyung Lee’s ‘field worker’."

Governor Kim particularly pledged, "Through three tangible projects, I will realize a ‘Plus Gyeonggi, Right Now, For Me’ that truly changes lives. First, I will launch the ‘100 Million Gyeonggi Residents Project’. Second, I will usher in an era where the three major living expenses—housing, care, and transportation—are reduced by half. Third, I will implement the ‘Earth-Shaking Project’."

With lawmakers Chulseung Kwon and Junho Han, as well as former lawmaker Gidae Yang, who have previously declared their bids for the Gyeonggi governorship, the Democratic Party’s primary is shaping up to be a five-way contest. The candidates will hold a joint preliminary candidates’ speech at the Democratic Party’s central headquarters on March 15, followed by a joint debate on JTBC on March 19. After a two-day preliminary primary from March 21 to 22, the field will be narrowed from five to three candidates, and the main primary will be held from April 4 to 7.

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