Kim Sang-su, Construction Association Chairman, "No Involvement in Next Chairman Election"

"Hope to Become a Figure with a Base Who Can Voice Industry Opinions..."

"I have not interfered in any way regarding the next president election."

On the 29th, Kim Sang-su, President of the Korea Construction Association, held a press conference near the Korea Construction Association in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and spoke about allegations raised by some quarters about interference with certain candidates' candidacy ahead of the next president election (December 15).

Kim Sang-su, President of the Korea Construction Association.
[Photo by Korea Construction Association]

President Kim said, "The association is composed of delegates from each city and province, so the central president cannot exert influence over a specific candidate's candidacy," adding, "I could not interfere and did not interfere."

Earlier, some candidates raised suspicions that President Kim was favoring a specific candidate. To run, candidates must obtain recommendation letters from 31 delegates, which is 20% of the 157 delegates nationwide, and it was claimed that President Kim obstructed this to ensure a single candidate's unopposed run.

President Kim said, "Although it is not illegal under the Korea Construction Association election law for the current president to recommend a successor, I did not recommend anyone to maintain neutrality as much as possible," and added, "In fact, there was someone I wanted to ask to run for president, but he declined."

He continued, "However, personally, I hope that someone with a solid base who can voice industry-related issues becomes president."

When asked about the most important issue the association is focusing on, President Kim pointed to the 'Yellow Envelope Act' (Amendment to the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act). He emphasized, "If the Yellow Envelope Act passes and is enforced, construction projects will come to a halt."

Regarding the current state of the construction market, President Kim said, "Construction costs have risen by 30%," adding, "If construction fees are not increased, it will result in losses."

Meanwhile, the next president of the Korea Construction Association will be decided at the general meeting held on the 15th of next month. The current candidates who have declared their intention to run are Na Gi-seon, CEO of Godeok Comprehensive Construction (former president of the Seoul Chapter of the Korea Construction Association), Yoon Hyun-woo, CEO of Samyang Construction (former president of the Chungbuk Chapter), and Han Seung-gu, CEO of Gyeryong Construction Industry (former president of the Daejeon Chapter).