Sejong: Former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyoung-soo has officially announced his candidacy for the June 3 presidential election, joining the race as the fourth aspirant from the liberal Democratic Party (DP). Kim made his announcement in the city of Sejong, where he outlined his vision to transform the area into the administrative capital of South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim, who has a history of working closely with former liberal presidents, including serving as press secretary for Roh Moo-hyun and assisting Moon Jae-in during his 2017 campaign, emphasized his commitment to decentralization and balanced development. He represented Gimhae as a lawmaker from 2016 to 2018 and served as the governor of South Gyeongsang province from 2018 to 2021.
Kim selected Sejong for his announcement due to its symbolic representation of decentralization, a concept championed by the late President Roh Moo-hyun. The upcoming election was necessitated by the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial martial law declaration.
Criticizing the current presidential office located in Yongsan, central Seoul, as “a symbol of insurrection,” Kim argued for its relocation to Sejong. He proposed a new governance structure focused on regional development, suggesting the creation of “five self-governing mega cities” to prevent the concentration of power in the presidency.
At 57, Kim faces competition in the DP primaries from notable figures such as former DP Chairman Lee Jae-myung, Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon, and another former South Gyeongsang governor, Kim Doo-gwan. Lee, who was narrowly defeated by Yoon in the 2022 election, is currently seen as a leading contender in both the party primaries and the national election.