[Presidential Candidate] ③ Kim Dong-yeon Mentioned as 'Voice of the Silent Faction'... Emphasizes Expansionary Fiscal Policy

Meeting in Germany last November with pro-Moon Kim Kyung-soo
Held solo protest for 'Yoon Seok-yeol arrest' during impeachment phase

Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province and a 'non-Lee Jae-myung faction leader,' actively took steps during the 'impeachment crisis.' He participated in rallies held in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, during the impeachment motion votes on the 7th and 14th. On the 12th, he also held a one-person protest in front of the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, calling for the immediate arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol. When the impeachment motion against President Yoon was passed, he stated on social media, "A great victory for the people," adding, "Impeachment is not the end but the beginning. Now that uncertainty has been removed, I am confident that we will overcome economic difficulties as well."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is giving a greeting at the policy agreement ceremony for advancing into a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse held at the National Assembly Library on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

During a business trip to Germany earlier last month, Governor Kim met with former Gyeongnam Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo. This led to interpretations in political circles that the non-Lee Jae-myung faction was beginning to move actively in preparation for the judicial risks facing Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. After the 22nd general election, Governor Kim has been positioning himself as a focal point for the non-Lee Jae-myung faction, appointing former lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol, a pro-Moon Jae-in figure, as an advisory committee chairman for provincial administration.

However, so far, his actions have not significantly deviated from the Democratic Party’s unified front centered around Lee. On the 15th, through his social media, Governor Kim expressed regret over the first trial sentencing Lee to one year in prison for violating the Public Official Election Act, saying, "I deeply regret the judiciary’s decision," and questioned, "Whether common sense and fairness of the law still remain in South Korea." Conversely, regarding Lee’s acquittal in the first trial on charges of witness tampering, he called it a "common-sense outcome," and said it "sounded an alarm against the prosecution’s separate investigations and fishing expeditions."

Instead, Governor Kim strongly criticized President Yoon. Among metropolitan governors, he was one of the most vocal opponents of President Yoon’s declaration of martial law. On the 3rd, when martial law was declared, he stated on social media, "This is a violent act that takes South Korea back 45 years. Lift the martial law immediately." He continued to criticize the declaration as unconstitutional, arguing that President Yoon should be subject to arrest rather than impeachment. When President Yoon, on the 7th, announced in a national address that he would leave issues of term limits and political stability to the party, Governor Kim responded, "There is neither a shortened term nor a mandate to leave the position to the mastermind of a coup."

Going forward, Governor Kim is expected to propose policies focused on public welfare and expansionary fiscal policy. A provincial official said, "(Governor Kim) is not specifically making moves toward a presidential bid," but added, "Since he has strengths in the economic sector, he will raise his voice more on economic issues." The official further explained, "(Governor Kim) will talk more about expansionary fiscal policy," and "He will move while maintaining organic dialogue with Lee Jae-myung and Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae." Governor Kim is known to have a strong will for power, so his future moves are attracting attention.