"Claiming Unfair Treatment in People Power Party"... Kim Jin-tae Revives Career, Heads Back to Primary...

Jin-tae Kim, a preliminary candidate for governor of Gangwon Province from the People Power Party, held a press conference on the morning of the 19th at the Gangwon Provincial Government briefing room, expressing his thoughts and determination upon returning to the nomination. Photo by Ra Young-cheol

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[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Kim Jin-tae, a preliminary candidate for governor of Gangwon Province from the People Power Party, who was revived by the party’s nomination management committee’s reversal of the primary election, expressed his feelings and determination upon returning to the primary, saying he was "unfairly 'cut off' by the People Power Party."

On the 19th, Kim Jin-tae held a press conference at the Gangwon Provincial Government briefing room and said, "I protested with all my might against the unfairness that excluded me despite my far superior position in the opinion polls."

He continued, "The dream of attracting Samsung Electronics to Wonju, establishing the second provincial office in Gangneung, and attracting large public institutions to Chuncheon was about to fly away, but a miracle happened thanks to many residents who felt the pain as if it were their own."

He pledged, "Now that I have been revived and will participate in the primary, I will serve the people and take the path of integration that soothes wounds."

Regarding the criticism that there is a limit to expanding the centrist base, he said, "Being centrist also requires having a clear conviction of one’s own and then persuading others through that process," adding, "It is difficult to persuade centrists if one’s convictions and positions change frequently."

Regarding the sincerity of his apology statement on the May 18 issue, he explained, "I have thought a lot while on a hunger strike. I wrote down my honest feelings on a piece of paper at the protest site and issued an apology statement."

He added, "It was not something I said without any feeling. I wrote the apology statement with a sincere heart. For those who think it is insufficient, I will try to show through my actions and resolve those feelings."

Regarding the primary debate proposed by preliminary candidate Hwang Sang-mu, he said, "I will naturally accept it and have a lot to say," adding, "Since we are candidates from the same party, it will be a good opportunity to talk about Gangwon Province in a good atmosphere."

In particular, regarding the decision of the nomination committee, he said, "I still can’t believe it and feel like I dreamed for a week. Now that I have come back to life, I will work hard. With the determination of a four-day hunger strike, there is nothing I cannot do," reaffirming his resolve.

He promised, "I will open the era of 2 million people in Gangwon with the determination to die for it," and "This time, I will repay the excessive love I received from the people of Gangwon with the development of Gangwon."

The People Power Party will hold a TV debate for the Gangwon governor preliminary candidates at 6:50 p.m. on the 20th. Afterwards, the primary election will be conducted through opinion polls over two days on the 21st and 22nd, and the final candidate will be decided on the 23rd.

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