[General Election Rivals] Im O-kyung vs Kim Ki-nam Showdown... What About the Conservative Stronghold Gwangmyeong Gap This Time?

Im Oh-kyung, Who Won Her First Election Badge 4 Years Ago VS
Kim Ki-nam, Twice Candidate for Gwangmyeong Mayor Clash
Policy Battle Over Gwangmyeong's Seoul Incorporation and GTX Line

In the 22nd general election for the Gyeonggi Gwangmyeong-si Gap district, first-term candidate Lim O-kyung of the Democratic Party, a former athlete, faces off against Kim Ki-nam of the People Power Party, a former doctor. Gwangmyeong Gap is considered a stronghold of progressive parties. Since the 17th general election, when the district was split into Gap and Eul, no conservative party candidate has been elected. In the 21st general election, Lim secured 47.66% of the vote, defeating Yang Ju-sang of the United Future Party, who received 36.98%, by a margin of 10 percentage points. However, this election is seen as somewhat different due to changes in the resident composition caused by local redevelopment and the inclusion of Hakon-dong, a conservative stronghold, into the electoral district.

① Who are the candidates?

Candidate Lim said, "When I ran here four years ago, there was a prejudice that viewed me through the frame of being an athlete," adding, "Over the past four years, I have worked as a diligent public servant to the extent that I have received thumbs-up, earning favorable evaluations." Lim, a former handball player, ranked first among 57 lawmakers from the Gyeonggi region in the number of bills passed.

Candidate Kim ran for mayor of Gwangmyeong in the 2018 and 2022 local elections, representing the Bareunmirae Party and the People Power Party, respectively. He has expanded his grassroots support while serving as the People Power Party’s Gwangmyeong Gap district committee chairman. Kim expressed confidence, saying, "Gwangmyeong is a tough district, but I believe tough districts can change."

② Regime judgment theory vs. tyranny of the major opposition party

Lim, seeking re-election, emphasized the 'regime judgment theory.' He stated, "In the two years of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, the livelihood economy has completely collapsed," and stressed, "The unstoppable Yoon Seok-yeol vehicle keeps running. We must stop this reckless driving for the sake of the people."

On the other hand, Kim argued that the tyranny of the 'major opposition party' must be stopped. He criticized, "Although the Yoon Seok-yeol government barely won the presidential election, it has not been able to implement any substantial policies," blaming "the obstruction by the major opposition party." He added, "There is a strong urgency that this time, we must stop them."

③ Controversy over Gwangmyeong’s incorporation into Seoul

Leveraging the ruling party’s advantages, Kim made the incorporation of Gwangmyeong into Seoul his top campaign pledge. He viewed Seoul incorporation as essential to expanding the metropolitan transportation network in Gwangmyeong, which shares a living sphere with Seoul. He said, "Along with incorporation, I will focus on the early commencement of the 'GTX D' line," adding, "I will ensure that the GTX D line station is located in the Gwangmyeong Gap area so that residents can benefit."

Lim countered, "The incorporation of Gimpo is off the table, and Gwangmyeong’s incorporation will be difficult as well." He pointed out that many legal procedures such as public hearings and debates must be followed, making realization unlikely. Lim said, "We can fill the subway bridge without incorporation into Seoul," emphasizing, "The National Fire Museum, which I pledged four years ago, will be completed in 2026, and I will establish a new National Fire Museum Station."