Sharp Tensions from Early Local Elections... Kim Dong-yeon Says "Kim Eun-hye Has Little Government Experience"

Kim Dong-yeon "A Battle Between Beginners and Experts"
Kim Eun-hye "A Symbol of Moon Jae-in's Real Estate Failure"
Fierce Early Competition in Incheon and Gangwon as Well

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] The contest between former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Dong-yeon and People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eun-hye, who are facing off in the highly contested Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial election on June 1, has entered a full-fledged war of nerves. As the election lineups for Incheon mayor, Gangwon Province governor, and Chungbuk Province governor are being finalized one after another, the exchanges between candidates from both parties are expected to intensify.

On the 27th, former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon questioned Kim Eun-hye’s qualifications on MBC Radio, saying, “She has limited experience in national administration and is not someone who has directly handled economic management, national finances, or matters related to people’s livelihoods.” Regarding the contest with Kim, he expressed concern that it might devolve into political disputes or partisan strife rather than focusing on the quality of life or future of Gyeonggi residents. He evaluated the race as “a battle between the forces maintaining vested interests and those trying to break them, between political revenge factions and pragmatic reformers, or between a novice driver in national administration and a skilled driver with over 30 years of experience, a fight between the past and the future.”

Kim Eun-hye also sharpened her criticism through Facebook the day before, stating, “Former Deputy Prime Minister Kim is a ‘symbol’ and ‘core’ figure who led the Moon Jae-in administration’s failed real estate policies.” She added, “He imposed high housing prices that have made it impossible for Gyeonggi residents without homes to even dream of owning one, and he was responsible for imposing punitive taxes on those who own a single home in Gyeonggi.” She then asked, “Who would you choose between a ‘failed economic deputy prime minister’ and a ‘young, driven worker’?”

In Incheon, where a two-way race is underway between incumbent Mayor Park Nam-chun (Democratic Party) and former Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok (People Power Party), the two candidates clashed over local issues such as the metropolitan landfill site and the Incheon-origin KTX project. Mayor Park criticized the agreement made during Yoo’s tenure as giving a pretext for the permanent landfill of the metropolitan area, while Yoo countered that the Incheon-origin KTX project was delayed due to Mayor Park’s incompetence. Mayor Park responded by calling it “malicious black propaganda.”

In the Gangwon Province gubernatorial election, sharp confrontations have also occurred from the early stages. Former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae, running as the People Power Party candidate, appeared on Gangwon CBS on the 25th and criticized his main opponent, lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae, saying, “Due to Lee’s past failure to become governor, a by-election for Gangwon governor was held, and now, after 12 years, there will be another by-election for a National Assembly seat in Wonju. This causes inconvenience and is not a simple issue but involves enormous national budget expenditures.” In response, lawmaker Lee indirectly criticized Kim’s remarks, saying, “I have acknowledged and apologized for my shortcomings,” and added, “I hope politics becomes more advanced.”