Kim Du-kwan to President Moon: "Big Brother, Sorry... I Will Play the Role of Jangsu for Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jucheol In] Democratic Party presidential candidate Kim Du-gwan said to President Moon Jae-in on the 12th, "I am sorry, big brother, and I will do well from now on." He also emphasized his victory in next year's presidential election by saying, "I will play the role of a long-term leader in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) region."

On the same day, Kim posted on Facebook, "Next year, the democratic reform camp must unite and strive to achieve great results in the presidential and local elections. We must continue the reform tasks of the Moon Jae-in administration," reflecting on his book "Misjudgment," which he published to commemorate his candidacy announcement.

Kim, who experienced internal strife including resigning from the governorship of Gyeongnam Province during the 2012 presidential election process, reflected on that time as "a personally avoidable memory and the biggest political mistake."

He confessed, "I misjudged abandoning the position of Gyeongnam governor, the first opposition party governor position that was hard to achieve, and instead of creating synergy as one team during the primary, I attacked the leading candidate, President Moon."

Kim said, "I could hardly bring myself to speak to President Moon about this for nearly 10 years," and added, "I couldn't even tell him that I ran for office in Yangsan with the intention of repaying my remorse."

He continued, "At the recommendation of Kim Eo-jun, I delivered a message through a video," and said, "After doing so, I feel somewhat relieved." He also recalled, "I remember again how, when I was elected governor of Gyeongnam, President Roh congratulated and encouraged me more than anyone else."

He added, "Even after this Yangsan election ended, I am always grateful for the several times he praised me."

Kim emphasized the re-creation of the administration ahead of the 20th presidential election scheduled for next year.

He said, "Bu-Ul-Gyeong has always been like a mother who embraced me and a strategic point for the Democratic Party's victory," and added, "As always, I will play the role of a long-term leader in Bu-Ul-Gyeong. I will make the Democratic Party's victory."