"Ready to Face Hong in a Showdown"... Kim Jaewon to Run for Daegu Mayor

Assemblyman Hong Jun-pyo, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin, and Former MBC President Lee Jin-sook Also Announce Candidacy Intentions

Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, who declared his candidacy for Daegu mayor

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Woo-seok] Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, announced his intention to run for mayor of Daegu on the 21st.

On the same day, Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "I am now preparing to run for mayor of Daegu," adding, "I will register as a preliminary candidate as soon as I am ready."

In response to the host's question, "Is Daegu a place where Representative Hong Joon-pyo is preparing to run? Are you saying you will compete against him?" Kim replied, "That's right. I think it will eventually come to that."

Kim expressed his aspirations, saying, "Daegu has ranked last in GRDP, or Gross Regional Domestic Product, nationwide for about 25 years, and the region is declining. I believe I can make a significant contribution. I attended middle school, high school, and even worked at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office, my first job, all in Daegu, so I have great affection for Daegu and will fulfill my role as a citizen."

Meanwhile, Representative Hong officially declared his candidacy for mayor of Daegu on the 16th via his Facebook, stating, "I know there is debate about my running for mayor of Daegu, but I will focus only on the citizens of Daegu and party members," and added, "I will remodel Daegu anew and restore the glory of the declining city."

Currently, in the People Power Party, Supreme Council Member Kim, Representative Hong, incumbent Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin, and former Daejeon MBC President Lee Jin-sook have all declared their candidacies for mayor of Daegu.