[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Kim Du-gwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) who decided to run in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK), stated, "If I could avoid it, I wanted to avoid it," but added, "However, it was difficult to ignore the demands of the party and the times."
On the early morning of the 24th, Kim posted on his Facebook under the title "Humbly Thank You to the Citizens of Gimpo," saying, "I sincerely apologize for having to change my constituency according to the party's request and decision."
He explained, "It was never easy to make this decision. Honestly, I wanted to avoid it if possible," and added, "But it was difficult to ultimately ignore the demands of the party and the times."
He continued, "Many people advised me not to go to a difficult district," and said, "Despite the harsh reality of a high possibility of losing and the arduous journey ahead, it is my fate to bear this heavy burden."
Kim emphasized, "Since Gimpo embraced me when I was at my most difficult, I tried to refuse, but as a politician, it was hard to ignore my calling," and promised, "I will definitely win and return to greet you again, fulfilling the earnest wishes of the citizens."
The Democratic Party leadership had been requesting Kim, whose constituency is Gimpo, to run in the PK region. This is because there is a view that the DPK's PK elections will be challenging this year, and Kim, who has a base in this area, should step in as a relief pitcher.
Earlier, on the 22nd, during the "April 15 General Election Candidate Training" held at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Kim had individual meetings with party leaders including Representative Lee Hae-chan and Secretary-General Yoon Ho-jung, after which he said, "I received a request from the representative, so although it is a difficult path, I think I need to make a decision before the Lunar New Year." Kim is expected to serve as the regional campaign committee chairman overseeing the PK elections. The expected constituency for his candidacy is Yangsan, Gyeongnam.
Kim was born in Namhae, Gyeongnam, served as a village chief and then as the mayor of Namhae County. After three attempts, he was elected governor of Gyeongnam Province in March 2010. He resigned from the governorship in 2012 to declare his presidential candidacy, lost once in the 2014 Gimpo by-election, and was elected in Gimpo Gap in 2016.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
