Three-Term Conservative Defects... Will Kim Kyuhak Sway Buk-gu Voters in Daegu?

Leaving the People Power Party for the Democratic Party
"Politics of Checks and Balances Is Needed"

Former Daegu City Councilor Kim Kyuhak's decision to leave the People Power Party and join the Democratic Party of Korea has caused a stir in the local political scene. As a three-term city councilor who previously belonged to a conservative party, attention is focused on how his choice to join the Democratic Party will impact the regional political landscape.

Former Assemblyman Kim is holding a press conference at the Daegu Democratic Party's Kim Dae-jung Hall, stating that politics that overcome the limitations of regionalism and create practical competition and change are needed.
[Photo by The Democratic Party]

According to political sources on April 29, former councilor Kim left the People Power Party, joined the Democratic Party of Korea, and officially announced his candidacy for city councilor in the 5th district of Buk-gu, Daegu, in the upcoming June 3 local elections.

On this day, Kim held a press conference at the Democratic Party of Korea Daegu City Branch, stating, "I decided to stand on the path of change and innovation rather than settle for the existing political order," and added, "Politics that goes beyond the limits of regionalism and creates genuine competition and change is needed."

Regarding the reasons for his departure, he cited the recent Buk-gu mayoral election process, saying, "I became deeply disillusioned with the political reality where power and interests take precedence over policy and vision." He further explained his reason for joining the Democratic Party by saying, "It was difficult to find justification to remain within the existing framework any longer."

In particular, Kim directly addressed the "single-party dominance structure," which has long been considered a structural limitation in Daegu politics. He stressed, "It is urgent to create a political environment where checks and balances operate and where competition is based on policy," adding, "Daegu also needs politics that broadens voters' choices."

Former councilor Kim is seen as a local politician with a high level of experience in legislative activities and a deep understanding of local issues, having served three terms as a Daegu city councilor for a conservative party. It is known that, ahead of this local election, he applied for the People Power Party's nomination for Buk-gu mayor but, after being cut off, had been considering his next political move.

In political circles, Kim's change of party affiliation is viewed as more than a personal decision; it could become a symbolic moment indicating the possibility of change in Daegu's political landscape. The Democratic Party of Korea is also attempting to expand its base in Daegu—a region with strong conservative support—by leveraging the competitiveness of its candidates, so Kim's joining the party is expected to become a significant variable in the upcoming election dynamics.

The move of a conservative three-term city council member in Daegu to the Democratic Party is politically significant.
[Photo by The Democratic Party]

A political insider commented, "The move of a conservative three-term city councilor in Daegu to the Democratic Party carries significant political implications. Whether this will actually lead to a shift in voter sentiment remains to be seen, but the challenge to the single-party dominance structure could well emerge as a major election issue."

Kim Kyuhak's move to the Democratic Party is seen as more than a simple change of party affiliation—it is interpreted as raising questions about Daegu's 'single-party dominance structure.' As a figure with three terms of legislative experience in a conservative party chooses a different path ahead of the election, this decision is bound to leave a symbolic impact on the local political scene.

However, whether that impact will translate into an actual shift in voter sentiment is another matter. Ultimately, voters will judge for themselves whether Kim's move is based on political conviction or a strategic election calculation.

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