[Local Election Relay Interview] Kim Dong-yeon "Ryu and Kim Symbolize Entrenched Interests... Whoever Comes Will Win"

Local Election Relay Interview ⑥ Kim Dong-yeon, Gyeonggi Province Governor Candidate

Yoo Seung-min Calls Kim Eun-hye 'Economic Expert Without National Budget Experience,' 'Yoon Seok-yeol's Loyalist'... Doubts About Leading Gyeonggi Province
"Understanding Common People Comes From the 'Heart,' Not the 'Head'... Not a Place to Plant Loyalists"
34 Years of Government Experience, Handling Both Cooking and Dishwashing, Competitive Edge

Never Once Suggested 'Changing the Primary Rules'
Prosecutorial Reform Is the Right Path... Clear Principle and Justification for 'Normalization Through Decentralization of Prosecutorial Power'

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] In the highly contested Gyeonggi Province governor election for the June 1 local elections, Kim Dong-yeon, leader of Saerounmulgyeol and the Democratic Party candidate, expressed strong confidence in an interview with Asia Economy at the Yeongdeungpo party office on the 14th, saying, "Whether it is former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min or lawmaker Kim Eun-hye, whoever is chosen as the People Power Party candidate, I can win."

Regarding former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a preliminary candidate from the People Power Party whom he would face in the main election, he pointed out, "Although he is called an 'economic expert,' he has never directly managed the national budget or economy," and criticized lawmaker Kim Eun-hye as "an assassin sent by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol."

He especially emphasized that both candidates are "symbols of vested interests" and "people who have never even gotten their hands wet," stressing that understanding the common people comes not from the 'head' but from the 'heart.' He expressed regret over the Moon Jae-in administration's real estate failures and apologized as the initial Deputy Prime Minister for Economy. He promised to revitalize the economy by focusing on three key areas: solving real estate and transportation issues and creating jobs to revive the Gyeonggi regional economy.

Below is a Q&A with Leader Kim.

Candidate Kim Dong-yeon for Governor of Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-There are divided opinions regarding the party primary rules. What do you say to criticisms like "It's not right for a player to want to change the rules"?

▲I have never once said, "Let's change the primary rules." I have repeatedly stated that I will abide by and accept the Democratic Party's decisions. However, since the Democratic Party advocates for external expansion and political change, I mentioned that an 'open mind' is necessary to give fair opportunities when recruiting external talents. But now, if I say this, it seems as if I am asking to adjust the current 50% party members and 50% general public ratio, which I do not want. Even if it does not apply to me, I hope the Democratic Party will show that it is a party that lets go of vested interests and is open. I will follow any decision. I neither proposed nor requested strategic nomination during the merger. Claims that I am disrupting the primary rules are fake news.

As a leading Democratic candidate for Gyeonggi governor, I must bear the burden of being checked. But after the merger, we will be a 'one team,' so internal attacks are undesirable. The local election landscape is tough. Even joining forces, it will be a difficult fight.

-There are concerns about excessive 'Lee Jae-myung marketing' by Gyeonggi governor candidates.

▲I shared a consensus with Senior Advisor Lee Jae-myung during the last presidential election through political reform alliances. I believe that a competitive candidate winning the election is the way to inherit the achievements and performance of his administration. I will dispel such concerns and win decisively with Kim Dong-yeon's competitiveness.

-The Democratic Party has endorsed the prosecution reform bill as party policy. Other candidates have also asked about your stance.

▲Prosecution reform is naturally the path to take. Also, instead of the term 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative rights (검수완박),' I think 'normalization of prosecution through decentralization of prosecutorial power' is a more accurate expression. The prosecution is an unelected power, so eliminating its sanctuaries is a natural step. Interpreting this as 'protecting President Moon Jae-in or Lee Jae-myung' is incorrect. Whether investigative rights go to the prosecution or police, it will still be investigative rights within the Yoon Seok-yeol government. Both the principle and justification of decentralizing prosecutorial power for normalization are clear. It is necessary to communicate and empathize sufficiently so that the public can understand this. Many still do not know the details. Efforts to reach maximum consensus with the opposition are also needed.

-The merger will be finalized on the 15th. However, some say the lengthy merger process is a trick to delay candidate verification.

▲TV debates among primary candidates (as proposed by former Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young) twice or even ten or twenty times are fine. I have confidence in candidate verification. I have served in public office for over 20 years without any blemishes. If candidate verification means verifying identity as a Democratic candidate, I have no intention to avoid it. The merger process was more complicated for the Democratic Party.

Candidate Kim Dong-yeon for Governor of Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-You were the first Deputy Prime Minister for Economy under the Moon Jae-in government. What advice would you give regarding economic matters while observing the Yoon Seok-yeol transition committee?

▲I hope two aspects can be avoided. First is political ideology. Many governments have been tempted to judge economic policies based on ideology and factional logic. Also, there is a desire to fulfill all promises made in the last presidential election. However, if a promise is deemed excessive, obsession must be abandoned. The country could head in the wrong direction. I have experience working in a transition committee. Every president-elect wants to keep all promises. But it is necessary to prioritize promises, clearly explain to the public what will be done mid- to long-term, what must be strategically retreated from, confess, and give up what must be given up. The first test bed will likely be the 50 trillion won supplementary budget. It must be financed by issuing government bonds, but realizing this without harming fiscal soundness is a conflicting issue.

The second is integration and communication with the public in national governance. Representative examples are the relocation of the Yongsan office and North-South Korea issues in foreign policy. Instead of fostering conflict and division among the people, integration is needed.

-How do you evaluate the Democratic Party's real estate policy and its impact on this local election?

▲The failure of the Moon Jae-in administration's real estate policy disappointed many citizens, as shown in the last presidential election. I accept this humbly and apologize once again to the citizens who suffered. The biggest reason for the failure was ignoring market demands and focusing only on speculation suppression rather than supply. The same applies to the local elections. I believe candidates who respect the people's desires and market demands and propose balanced real estate policies will be chosen by the residents.

-If you become governor of Gyeonggi Province, how will you manage real estate policy?

▲There are many conflicting interests regarding new towns, reconstruction, and redevelopment. As governor, I will first listen to the wishes of Gyeonggi residents and check whether these conflict with Gyeonggi's long-term future strategy. Accordingly, I will actively implement real estate policies that improve housing quality, including new towns, reconstruction, redevelopment, and remodeling.

Candidate Kim Dong-yeon for Governor of Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-The People Power Party has a strong two-horse race between Yoo Seung-min and Kim Eun-hye. What is your evaluation of the two candidates?

▲Both represent vested interests. In two ways, neither has ever gotten their hands wet. Former lawmaker Yoo's father was a prominent lawmaker and a gold spoon, and lawmaker Kim is a first-term lawmaker who has criticized and advised on national governance but has never directly managed the government, cooked meals, or washed dishes. Both are like that. I have directly managed national governance for 34 years, washing dishes and getting my hands wet. Also, I lived as a tent-house boy head of household in Gyeonggi, working hard with sweat. I am confident I am the candidate who can understand the hearts of Gyeonggi residents and common people better than anyone.

Former lawmaker Yoo is called an 'economic expert,' but he has never directly managed the national budget or economy. To understand the lives of common people, one must embrace them with the 'heart,' not the 'head.' However, having lived a gold spoon life, former lawmaker Yoo will find it difficult to understand the hardships of common people, and above all, he has no ties to Gyeonggi and does not know the problems Gyeonggi faces. Having served as Deputy Prime Minister for Economy overseeing the economy and as president of Ajou University leading university innovation, I believe I am the candidate best suited and with a comparative advantage to govern Gyeonggi and serve its residents.

I think lawmaker Kim is an assassin sent by President-elect Yoon. I also think she was sent to the Gyeonggi governor race to check other candidates within the People Power Party. Therefore, I cannot erase the thought that 'Yoon's heart' reflecting the strategic intentions of President-elect Yoon or the new government is involved. Gyeonggi is not a place to be run as a subordinate of the president-elect or as a political strategy tool. We must look at how dedicated, capable, and innovative a candidate is for the governance and lives of residents. In that regard, I have doubts whether lawmaker Kim has the capacity and mindset to govern Gyeonggi, which accounts for a quarter of South Korea. However, whoever comes as a competitor, I will definitely win.

Candidate Kim Dong-yeon for Governor of Gyeonggi Province. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-Candidates Yoo Seung-min and Kim Eun-hye have already met to discuss cooperation between Seoul and Gyeonggi and the metropolitan express railway (GTX) plan. Transportation cooperation with Seoul will be necessary. How would you approach this if candidate Oh Se-hoon is elected?

▲Regardless of which party or person becomes Seoul mayor, I will naturally meet frequently as neighboring local heads to discuss common interests. Seoul and Gyeonggi are intertwined in residential and workplace issues and share lifestyle and leisure culture, forming a de facto regional community. We must discuss not only GTX but overall transportation issues, housing, and job problems so that Gyeonggi residents and Seoul citizens can be happy together.

From past cases, having the Seoul mayor and Gyeonggi governor from the same party does not necessarily solve problems. It is much more important how well one understands the interests of citizens and residents and can properly coordinate with neighboring cities. I will communicate and cooperate, representing residents' interests while considering neighbors, not party or factional interests. Having managed national finances and communication across factions, I can confidently say I am the best candidate for this.

-If you become governor of Gyeonggi, what will be your top priority projects? Do you have specific plans such as attracting companies?

▲I have mentioned Gyeonggi's five major pledges (future readiness, livelihood stability, peaceful coexistence, balanced development, political change). Especially to boost regional economic dynamism, I plan to focus on three areas: real estate issues, transportation issues, and job creation, concentrating on livelihood stability. I will also strengthen solid support for small business owners and self-employed and expand welfare for vulnerable groups.

Regarding attracting companies, having led innovative growth as Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, I was considered the most business-friendly prime minister under the Moon Jae-in government. After stepping down, I visited a mid-sized company in Gongju, Chungnam, and heard that "there is no hope without Kim Dong-yeon." I have consistently implemented policies to maintain trust between the market and economic actors. If elected governor by Gyeonggi residents, I will be the most welcomed governor by businesspeople. I will actively attract companies to Gyeonggi and deregulate to enable them to freely operate in the global market, thereby revitalizing the economy. Also, by creating jobs, I will expand economic activities for youth and seniors, innovating Gyeonggi first to change South Korea.