Candidate Kim Ki-jung of the Reform New Party Running in Mapo-gu Gap
"I Will Fight Locally for Clear Reform Conservatism"
'Promise to Solve Mapo-gu Education Issues'
"It was something I had prepared for. From the moment I met Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the Reform New Party, and decided to join, I was aware that this party might do well, but it could also realistically become a minor party with about 2-3% support and remain outside the National Assembly. Nevertheless, if even one proportional representative enters the Assembly and the legacy of reform conservatism continues, it would be a success. If I can run in a constituency and let people know that there is at least some reform conservative force, that would be enough."
Kim Ki-jung, the Reform New Party candidate challenging the Seoul Mapo-gu Gap electoral district, calmly expressed his determination for this election on the 27th, a day before the official campaign began, at his campaign office. In Mapo-gu Gap, which has been spotlighted as the frontline of the Hangang Belt, besides Kim, there were other challengers including Jo Jung-hoon of the People Power Party seeking re-election, Lee Ji-eun of the Democratic Party, a former police superintendent, and Kim Hye-mi of the Green Justice Party. There have been two opinion polls so far, but one was conducted without Kim’s name included. In the poll that included Kim’s name (conducted on June 13-14, targeting 508 voters aged 18 and over via wireless telephone interviews; detailed results can be found on the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website), he received 1.5% support. Among the four candidates, he ranked fourth, last place. Although he was prepared, this is probably not the kind of election battle he had hoped for.
At the beginning of this year, the Reform New Party was the core of a third-force typhoon that could have caused a stir in the general election. However, the backlash and confusion caused by the merger and split among third forces, along with the surge of the National Innovation Party, reduced its influence. He said, "The Reform New Party is a party that rises when Leader Lee gets attention, but this time, by choosing to run in a constituency, the atmosphere within the party has become unsettled." Originally, he had served as a member of the People Power Party’s Media Legal Team during the last presidential election. Does he have any regrets about choosing the Reform New Party after leaving the People Power Party?
"I don’t regret it. I think I had no choice but to come out. Looking at the paths taken by my seniors, why wouldn’t I think I could do at least this much? It wasn’t easy to give that up. When I told Leader Lee, who left the party, ‘I support you but I’m not sure about joining,’ he said, ‘It seems like conservatism will completely disappear.’ That was exactly what I had been thinking. In the end, politics is about conviction, and I decided to follow my conviction."
Kim evaluated that the concerns he had while in the People Power Party are becoming reality. He said, "If you ask who the core of the People Power Party and conservative forces are, it’s simply conservative YouTubers. They are the core and the mainstream. If they are the mainstream, then I don’t see a future in the People Power Party." He continued, "Issues arise because things like the case of Ambassador Lee Jong-seop to Australia or the Marine Corps Corporal Chae incident are handled strangely and exceptionally. I thought that when conservatism collapses, we need to watch it collapse from outside to be able to rebuild." Kim said, "Leader Lee says he wants to build a ‘Noah’s Ark’ for conservatism, but I don’t think we’re there yet. For now, I think it might be more like a lifeboat."
He emphasized that the Reform New Party, classified as a third force, should aim to be reform conservatism and alternative conservatism. Kim said, "Although each candidate has different thoughts, ultimately conservatism needs to be replaced. I dream of an election where the Reform New Party takes the lead in replacing conservatism."
What pledges did Kim, who ran in the constituency, present? As a father of two children, Kim focused on education-related pledges.
"Young couples in their 30s and 40s in Mapo commonly say that elementary school is good, but after that, because of the academy infrastructure and school districts, they consider moving to Daechi-dong or Mok-dong. The heavy traffic also makes commuting dangerous. So I pledged an integrated shuttle service. Also, we need to attract academy districts comparable to Daechi-dong or Mok-dong, and small local libraries are disappearing, so I want to protect them."
He also promised to solve the train interval issue on the Gyeongui Line. He explained, "The Gyeongui Line shares tracks with KTX, Saemaeul, and other lines, so intervals can’t be reduced, but there might be a way to increase intervals between Digital Media City and Yongsan Station."
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