Kim Dong-yeon Emphasizes Gyeonggi-do Ties, Checks Yoo Seung-min... "Lived in a Tent House in Gyeonggi-do During Middle School, Now It's Time to Devote"

"50 Years Ago, the Place Where Grandmother, Mother, and Siblings Lived Is Now Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si... Gyeonggi-do Knows It Better Than Anyone"
Targeting Former Lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, Who Has No Ties to Gyeonggi-do
After Yesterday's Attack "Have You Paid Even 1 Won in Taxes to Gyeonggi-do?" Emphasizing Ties to Gyeonggi-do for Days
Former Lawmaker Yoo: "Did Hiddink Reach the Semifinals Because of Ties?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Kim Dong-yeon, leader of Saerounmulgyeol who declared his candidacy for Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections, said on the 2nd, "I lived in a tent house in Gyeonggi Province when I was in middle school, and now I will dedicate my life to it." This is interpreted as an attempt to emphasize the difference from former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min of the People Power Party, who declared his candidacy for Gyeonggi Province governor, by highlighting that Yoo has no ties to Gyeonggi Province.

Kim Dong-yeon, leader of Saerounmulgyeol, is declaring his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the morning of the same day, Kim posted on Facebook under the title "Starting Again in Gyeonggi Province," emphasizing his connection to Gyeonggi Province by saying, "I stood again in Dandae-ri, Jungbu-myeon, Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Fifty years ago, six families lived there."

He explained, "More than 100,000 Seoul city demolition victims were abandoned there. They each built tent houses and lived, and today's Seongnam City began there. Even I, as a middle school student, along with my grandmother, mother, and siblings, started there."

He continued, "Last Thursday, I declared my candidacy for Gyeonggi Province governor. It was at the very place that became Dandae-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam City 50 years ago. With the heart of taking care of the life of that boy and family who had no visible future 50 years ago, I will take care of the livelihood of Gyeonggi Province," he expressed.

Kim also emphasized, "I have lived half of my life in Gwangju, Seongnam, Gwacheon, Anyang, and Uiwang. I worked in public office and as a university president for 20 years in Gyeonggi Province. I know Gyeonggi Province better than anyone and have deep affection for it." He added, "In Gyeonggi Province, which opened opportunities for my life, I will now dedicate my life."

Kim's emphasis on his ties to Gyeonggi Province is interpreted as targeting former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who will run under the People Power Party. Unlike Kim, who has lived in Gyeonggi for over 30 years and even served as president of Ajou University, showing deep local ties, Yoo, a four-term lawmaker from Daegu, has relatively weak regional ties to Gyeonggi Province.

Kim also criticized Yoo on MBC Radio the previous day, saying, "He probably has never paid a single won in taxes in Gyeonggi Province," and added, "It would have been understandable if he had run for Daegu mayor."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is holding an official press conference to announce his candidacy for the Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 1 local elections at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In response, Yoo countered that 'ability' is more important than 'ties.'

On the same day, Yoo appeared on CBS Radio and said, "When Korean soccer reached the semifinals, it wasn't because Coach Hiddink had Korean nationality or ties that Korean soccer made it to the semifinals," responding to criticism that he is inappropriate as Gyeonggi Province governor because he has no ties to Gyeonggi Province.