Governor Kim Dong-yeon: "Yoon Seok-yeol Government Leadership Crisis is Serious"

Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, diagnosed the Yoon Seok-yeol administration as a 'leadership crisis.'

On the 6th, Kim appeared on SBS's "Joo Young-jin's News Briefing" and was asked to evaluate the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. He said, "Regardless of the content related to the president's vulgar language, if the president had acknowledged the issue and expressed regret or apologized, it could have moved in a bigger direction. But now, various matters are being sucked into a black hole because of this issue," adding, "This needs to be restored to normal as soon as possible."

Regarding the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's economic policy, he gave a low score, saying, "We may be facing a crisis even more difficult than the previous two (economic) crises, but the country (politics) is so divided now, and the economic policy feels like it is going entirely in the direction of neoliberalism. I am somewhat critical of the economic policy in terms of uniting the people’s strength."

Regarding the cut in next year's national budget support for local currency, he emphasized, "The central government's decision was wrong," and added, "Local currency is already a proven policy. I will do my best to have it reflected during the National Assembly's budget review process."

About the 'opportunity income' that Governor Kim proposed, he said, "(Claiming opportunity income to differentiate from former Governor Lee Jae-myung) is not what I meant," and explained, "Policy, especially economic policy, is a flow. We should not deny or obsess over changing the predecessor’s policies but inherit what is good for the people and residents. Of course, among those, there are things that must be changed according to the times, and those will be clearly defined as Kim Dong-yeon’s Gyeonggi Province."

Kim also promised, "Along with opportunity income, I will create ladders of opportunity, safety nets of opportunity, and power plants of opportunity," adding, "In the case of power plants of opportunity, I will create opportunities for social enterprises and venture companies. So, I will make Gyeonggi Province the 'capital of opportunity.'"

Regarding his potential candidacy for the next presidential election, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "I have no time to think about that right now," and added, "First, it is my duty to devote my body and mind to Gyeonggi Province and its residents. I will work hard in Gyeonggi Province without thinking about my political goals or direction."