[Interview] Kim Du-gwan "Will Announce Presidential Candidacy in June" ... Key Terms Are Basic Asset System and Conscription System

Regarding Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung Advocating Basic Income: "I Want a Final Debate"

Representative Kim Du-kwan is being interviewed by our newspaper at his office in the Yangsan district. / Photo by Choi Jae-ho tk24@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] "I have been preparing for the presidential election since last fall. Until now, it was the time for Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Lee Nak-yeon, former Prime Minister, but from now on, it will be different. I am confident I will overtake (in approval ratings) after June."

Kim Du-kwan, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (Yangsan Eul), clearly stated his intention to run as a presidential candidate around June. Although rumors about Kim participating in the party's presidential primary have been circulating for some time, this is the first time he has revealed it in an official interview.

Kim devoted much of the interview to explaining his signature policies, the 'Basic Asset System' and the 'Volunteer Military System.' He criticized the 'Basic Income System,' consistently promoted by Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province, as unrealistic, emphasizing that his 'Basic Asset System' is a practical task to solve the era's issues of polarization and fairness.

The interview took place on the 24th at his constituency office located in Wongsang, Yangsan City, lasting one hour and thirty minutes.

20 million won for each newborn, 50 million won at age 20, everyone gets an 'equal spoon'

The volunteer military system is an inevitable choice for a 'strong elite nation'... may initially combine conscription and volunteer service

- The 'No Mu-hyun Spirit Succession Solidarity,' where you serve as a standing advisor, is expanding nationwide by establishing headquarters in Yeongnam and Honam regions. There are persistent rumors about your candidacy in the party's presidential primary.

"I have been preparing to run since the party convention in May. To be honest, I solidified my decision to run for president since last fall and have been preparing policies and people. However, while a member of the National Assembly or governor can be positions achieved through individual effort and challenge, the presidency cannot be assumed without the people's call, so I have been adjusting the timing accordingly."

This will be his second participation in the party's presidential primary since 2012. At that time, he ranked third behind candidate Moon Jae-in and candidate Sohn Hak-kyu. He resigned from his position as Governor of Gyeongnam Province in his second year to run, which led to various interpretations about the reckless background of his candidacy.

Regarding this, he bowed his head and said, "I was easily swayed by the words that 'Kim Du-kwan is the only one who can beat Park Geun-hye.' I thought that arrogance and acting as if 'it has to be me' while holding benefits in both hands was not right. I apologize once again to the residents who still feel betrayed because of that."

- Despite being evaluated as a 'potential presidential candidate,' you have not voiced significant opinions on party issues until now. Recently, you attracted attention by urging the Democratic Party to change, saying, "If we have done wrong, we must take responsibility together, and reflection and innovation must also be done together."

"I believe one must choose the right time to raise their voice. The worst sight during mourning is siblings blaming each other or fighting over inheritance. At this moment, raising voices directly to the people from various places does not help the party's reform much. Internal issues should be fiercely discussed internally, and it is desirable to find the right solutions and then communicate them to the people."

- There are reactions that the current Democratic Party floor leader and party leader primary processes do not show sufficient reflection and momentum for change. Do you think the right solutions are being pursued?

"The party leadership represents the party. The total resignation of the leadership after election defeat means the entire party is reflecting. However, I think it would have been better to take a little more time for sufficient introspection, change, and innovation. I feel it was rushed. Additionally, the distinction between pro-Moon and non-pro-Moon factions mentioned externally during the recent party reorganization is just a frame for someone to gain by dividing. The Democratic Party is one body. Politics must transcend such frameworks to develop."

- Regarding the recent by-elections, after former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, the underlying public sentiment of 'no matter how much I dislike the Democratic Party, I cannot vote for the People Power Party' was broken. Especially, the alienation of young voters was prominent.

"We failed to share the given tasks with the people. Especially on real estate issues, we could not present clear and trustworthy solutions. I humbly accept the criticism of 'double standards' arising from the moral issues of high-ranking officials. No matter how good the intention of reform is, not everyone can be satisfied. We neglected sufficient explanation and consensus processes regarding the problems arising from that. Because of this, the people were hurt. I will review the wrong processes and strive to restore trust."

- Regarding solutions for the youth generation, Representative Park Yong-jin raised the agenda that it is time to seriously discuss female conscription. What is your opinion on this?

"I agree that maintaining an appropriate force of 350,000 soldiers is impossible under the current system. However, I do not agree with female conscription as the solution. Maintaining troop numbers is important, but the importance of more professional military personnel is increasing. Efforts are needed to maintain appropriate forces through volunteer recruitment and to transform the military from a place people do not want to go to a place they want to go. Of course, since switching to a volunteer system will not immediately maintain appropriate forces, it should be settled by combining conscription and volunteer service."

Kim repeatedly emphasized, citing other countries' examples, that the 'volunteer military system' is an inevitable choice to become a strong elite nation. He said it would also create 350,000 good jobs, thereby increasing GDP. He stressed that in emergencies, the reserve forces system can be activated without major problems.

- We cannot avoid asking about former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. Despite concerns about backlash within the party at the end of last year, you strongly advocated for 'Yoon Seok-youl impeachment.' Do you still hold the same view?

"The only means for the legislature to check the judiciary is the impeachment power over judges and the Prosecutor General. In the EU, if there is a faulty judgment, judges are actually impeached. The fact that former Prosecutor General Yoon is now discussed as a presidential candidate proves he was an inappropriate Prosecutor General who violated political neutrality. Since then, he has acted as a politician, so if he does not step down voluntarily, impeachment should be pursued. I still believe that conviction was correct."

- Your approval ratings in current polls are still low. What do you think is your unique competitiveness that can appeal to the people?

"I think it is the ability to promote reform through politics. Politics that suppresses by force fails, while politics that communicates and persuades succeeds. I have achieved results through communication and persuasion politics, serving from village head of Iri Village to county governor, minister, governor, and member of the National Assembly. Therefore, my greatest competitiveness is my ability to govern (Jeongchi, 正治), and the stories I have accumulated so far are my competitiveness."

- Recently, there has been discussion about a system where the state guarantees the minimum assets of the people, like Governor Lee Jae-myung's basic income system. You have advocated the 'Basic Asset System.' What is the difference between basic income and basic assets?

"To give every citizen a fixed amount monthly under the basic income system requires enormous resources. If 500,000 won is given monthly, 314 trillion won is needed annually. The 'Basic Asset System' was created as a more realistic solution. When a newborn is born, the state provides 20 million won in assets to every child, which is automatically entrusted to the state and managed for 20 years, returning 50 million won when the child becomes an adult."

He changed his posture and explained at length when mentioning the 'Basic Asset System.' Through this system, even citizens born with a 'dirt spoon' can have an equal starting point with a 'silver spoon.' He suggested having a final debate with Lee Jae-myung, who advocates the 'Basic Income System,' on which system is better.

"In 2020, 290,000 newborns were born, so applying this immediately would require about 6 trillion won in budget, which can be covered through inheritance and gift taxes (about 10 trillion won annually). The inheritance and gift tax concept philosophically includes social assets and values in individual assets. This is to create capital for future generations to realize their dreams.

Only 20% of the entire population inherits assets. 80% are born without any assets. The state cannot provide gold or silver spoons to that 80%, but it should give them the opportunity to dream. If the Basic Asset System is established, not only children but also the parent generation can reduce the burden of support."

- Due to politics concentrated in the center, there may be concerns and disappointments among Yangsan citizens that you might be neglecting your constituency. What do you think about this?

"I am confident that I pay great attention to the Yangsan Eul constituency more than anyone else. Especially, the Yangsan-Wongsang metropolitan railroad project has been a long-standing wish for 25 years since Yangsan was promoted to a city, and I am making every effort to fulfill the wishes of 350,000 Yangsan citizens. I am confident there will be good results in the final confirmation of the 4th National Railroad Network Plan to be announced in June. I am also working to improve living conditions and infrastructure for Wongsang area residents, so you can expect results."

- Lastly, please leave any final remarks.

"In this by-election, the people gave a strong rebuke to the Democratic Party. I think the disappointment was great because expectations were high. President Moon Jae-in's term still has one year left, and the Democratic Party has enough seats for reform and livelihood legislation, so I will strive to repay with good results. As a member of the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee, I will do my best to help people's livelihoods through budgets and bills."