[Visiting the Battleground] "Gangnam Residents Will Choose Their Children's Future Over Money... We Will Create an Upset"

Democratic Party Candidate Kim Han-gyu Running for Gangnam District Hospital

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] "While the comprehensive real estate tax (종부세) is important, it is not the absolute factor in this area's election. Voters here do not choose candidates solely based on resolving the 종부세 issue. There is pride in living in Gangnam. Rather than electing a local representative for personal gain, there is a desire for someone who can present national and future agendas."

Kim Han-kyu, the Democratic Party candidate for Gangnam-byeong, said in an interview with Asia Economy on the 1st, "Gangnam voters are rational and do not vote blindly based on party affiliation."

He added, "In the past, people wouldn't even accept a Democratic Party business card, but now I see many voters who, while regretting 'why did you go to that side (Democratic Party)?', still accept my card. If we listen carefully to their concerns and propose reasonable policies suited to Gangnam residents, we can start a Democratic Party victory beginning in Gangnam," he emphasized.

He also pointed out that the noise surrounding the United Future Party's nomination in Gangnam hurt the pride of local voters. Kim said, "Although Jongno is considered the political hotspot, before Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak, many political heavyweights lived in Gangnam. But now, due to the gap in support between conservatives and progressives, neither side can field important figures. The conservatives nominated three candidates?Tae Young-ho, Choi Hong, and Kim Mi-gyun?thinking any of them would do, but changed due to backlash from supporters. Even conservative voters in Gangnam feel their pride is hurt by this," he said.

Graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Political Science and Harvard Law School, and currently working as a lawyer at Kim & Chang, he said, "The Gangnam-byeong National Assembly election is likely to be more of a personality contest than a party-versus-party race," emphasizing, "These kinds of credentials are conservative but are appreciated by Gangnam residents."

He is also a 'Gangnam resident' himself, living and raising children in the area. Kim said, "I live in Mido Apartment across from Eunma Apartment, and as a resident who has actually experienced and is expecting reconstruction, I am determined to resolve this issue," adding, "Near my campaign office is an academy district, and as a parent with children attending academies here, I understand what is important."

He believes that presenting a future agenda is essential to winning the hearts of Gangnam residents. Kim explained, "Gangnam voters have many concerns about the path our society should take and the future of our children’s generation. There is a recognition that it is necessary to raise these issues and think about them."

Kim cited 'housing for the youth' as his unique future agenda. He said, "Young people should be able to secure a place to live without worry," and added, "The youth do not want to buy places like Dogok-dong Tower Palace; rather, the concern is how to create policies that allow them to buy homes within commuting distance."

However, without resolving the 종부세 issue, victory in Gangnam remains uncertain. He stressed, "Completely abolishing the 종부세 is difficult, but at least the tax on one-household-one-home owners who are not speculative buyers should be eliminated. This is a bill that can be realized in the 21st National Assembly, and even the Democratic Party cannot realistically avoid it if they want to win voters’ hearts."