Kim Bu-gyeom Announces Candidacy on the 9th, "Will Complete 2-Year Term as Party Leader"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Bu-gyeom will declare his candidacy for the party leadership election scheduled for the 9th.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 2nd, Kim said in a press release, "I will complete the two-year term as party leader for a greater Democratic Party." This appears to be a statement aimed at countering lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon, who would have to resign as party leader in March next year if he runs for the next presidential election. Earlier, Kim also opposed the logic that presidential candidates should also hold party leadership by saying, "If I become party leader, I will not run for president."

Kim stated, "I originally decided to officially announce my candidacy on the 6th," adding, "When reports came out that Lee would announce his candidacy on the 7th, I thought it was courteous to postpone my schedule, so I delayed it."

In his declaration on the 9th, he is expected to emphasize the need for a "responsible party leader" who completes the full two-year term. He is also known to express his determination to create a "greater Democratic Party" for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party's return to power.