Kim Boo-kyum Announces Candidacy, Shaking Up Conservative Stronghold Daegu

[Financial News Daegu = Reporter Kim Jang-uk] As former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), long rumored to run in the June 3 local elections, officially enters the race, nationwide attention is focusing on whether the traditionally conservative stronghold of Daegu will become the “eye of the storm” in this election.
According to local political circles on the 30th, former Prime Minister Kim will officially declare his candidacy for Mayor of Daegu at 3 p.m. that day at February 28th Central Memorial Park in Gongpyeong-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu.
Before heading to Daegu, he plans to first present his position on the upcoming election at 10 a.m. at the National Assembly Communication Center in Seoul. He will then travel to Daegu for the 3 p.m. event to deliver his statement of candidacy to citizens.
The Daegu Metropolitan City Chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea explained, "The February 28 Democracy Movement was the first democratization movement in South Korea, and it was designated a national memorial day when former Prime Minister Kim was serving as Minister of the Interior and Safety." The chapter added, "The venue was chosen because it embodies the pride of Daegu citizens and the spirit of change, and it reflects the message, 'Let us once again boldly move forward together on the path of change.'"
In his declaration, Kim is expected to say something along the lines of, "February 28th Central Memorial Park is a place where the pride of Daegu citizens and the spirit of change are alive. As we once again boldly move forward together on the path of change, I ask you to join Kim Boo-kyum and the Democratic Party of Korea on this journey."
He is also expected to emphasize balanced national development, a key policy agenda of the Lee Jae-myung administration, and call for breaking the one-party dominance rooted in regionalism. Observers anticipate that he will urge Daegu voters to change their voting patterns.
Earlier, during a meeting with DPK leader Jeong Cheong-rae on the 26th, Kim reportedly received a promise of support that was described as nearly unlimited if he chose to run for Mayor of Daegu, drawing attention to what “bundle of gifts” he might bring to the race.
At that meeting, Jeong said to Kim, "I ask you to make a decision for a greater cause," and added, "If it is something Daegu needs, if it is something you want, I feel as if I want to become the head of a 'do anything for you' center." With these remarks, he pledged full support should Kim run for Mayor of Daegu.
In contrast, public sentiment in Daegu toward the People Power Party is turning uneasy. Support for the PPP, which had long enjoyed overwhelming backing in Daegu, has been deteriorating, while support for the DPK is reaching record highs. Under these conditions, Kim’s candidacy is expected to upend the entire electoral landscape in Daegu.
There are concerns that if Representative Joo Ho-young, a six-term lawmaker and Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea representing the Daegu Suseong A constituency, or former Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission Lee Jin-sook—both cut off in the PPP primary for Daegu mayor—decide to run as independents, the PPP could face its toughest battle yet in any election.
On the 30th, the PPP will hold a candidates’ debate for the final primary, featuring six contenders: incumbent Representative Yoon Jae-ok (fourth term, Daegu Dalseo District 2), Representative Choo Kyung-ho (third term, Dalseong County, Daegu), first-term Representative Yoo Young-ha (Daegu Dalseo-gap constituency), first-term Representative Choi Eun-seok (Daegu Dong-gu–Gunwi A constituency), former Mayor of Dong District, Daegu, Lee Jae-man, and former Member of the National Assembly Hong Seok-jun.
Meanwhile, in a poll commissioned by Yeongnam Ilbo and conducted by Realmeter on 812 Daegu citizens from the 22nd to the 23rd, testing one-on-one hypothetical matchups between ruling and opposition candidates for Mayor of Daegu, former Prime Minister Kim led in all virtual contests against eight PPP primary contenders. This included matchups with Vice Speaker Joo and former Korea Communications Commission chief Lee, both of whom were cut off from the PPP primary.
The survey was conducted via wireless automated response (ARS). It has a margin of error of ±3.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a response rate of 7.2%. Further details are available on the website of the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission.
gimju@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Jang-uk Reporter