Democratic Party Yang Mun-seok, Gyeongnam Governor Candidate, "Pardon and Rehabilitate Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo!"

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Yang Moon-seok, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, and others called for the pardon and reinstatement of former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo. / Photo by Ryeong Lee

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] On the afternoon of the 3rd, the election countermeasures committee of Yang Mun-seok, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, held a press conference urging the pardon and reinstatement of former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo.

Yang Mun-seok, candidate for Governor of Gyeongnam Province, Kim Ji-su, candidate for National Assembly in Changwon Uichang District, proportional representation candidates of Gyeongnam Province, and local committee chairpersons gathered in front of the main building of the Gyeongnam Provincial Government to demand the release of former Governor Kim.

Candidate Yang said, “I believed that someday the judiciary’s justice would be revived, so I respected the judiciary’s decision and remained silent until now,” adding, “Now, with a desperate hope, I stand here grasping at straws.”

Listing the four years of administrative achievements of former Governor Kim Kyung-soo, he described Kim as a person who fulfilled 100% of his campaign promises.

He claimed that through regional balanced development, Kim enhanced national competitiveness by initiatives such as the Southeast Mega City, designation of a special youth province, creation of smart industrial complexes, early commencement of the southern inland railway, establishment of a public medical center in the western region, and exemption from preliminary feasibility studies for the new airport on Gadeokdo Island.

“I have heard that President Moon Jae-in’s intention regarding the pardon has not yet been finalized,” he said, “and upon hearing that the President is making his final considerations, I came forward to hold onto a thread of hope.”

“I also know that public opinion is unfavorable and that it may not help in gaining votes, and could even be a factor in vote loss,” he said, “but I could not leave former Governor Kim, who has devoted himself to a greater Gyeongnam and a greater future and is praying for Gyeongnam, as he is.”

Candidate Yang stated, “The greatest value that the Moon Jae-in administration can pass on to the Yoon Suk-yeol government is national unity that gathers scattered public sentiment into one,” and urged again for the pardon and reinstatement of former Governor Kim, saying, “I hope this will be the pardon and reinstatement most necessary for national unity, overcoming the wounds of conflict and division and moving toward the path of integration and reconciliation.”