Kim Doo-kwan: "Eodaemyeong Is Not Democracy... I Will Open the 7th Republic"

Declaration of Presidential Candidacy in Gwangju
Preparing for the Main Election with a Fully Open Primary
Proposing a Coalition Government and Constitutional Decentralization

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan has openly challenged the so-called "Eodaemyung" structure, which means "the presidential election will inevitably be Lee Jaemyung," and declared his candidacy for the presidency with a focus on introducing a fully open national primary (open primary) and political and constitutional reform.

On the 8th, after paying respects at the Gwangju National May 18th Democratic Cemetery, Kim met with reporters and said, "Gwangju is the heart of Korean democracy," adding, "Right after declaring my presidential bid yesterday, I came here first to pay my respects to the spirits of May."

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Dugwan, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, is speaking after paying respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Bukgu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

At a press conference held at the Gwangju City Council, he stated, "With an Eodaemyung primary, we cannot guarantee an overwhelming regime change," and criticized, "Even if the regime changes, it is doubtful whether the era’s tasks of national unity and constitutional amendment will be achieved." He emphasized, "Only if the broad progressive and reform forces enhance their competitiveness through a fully open primary and achieve an overwhelming victory can we firmly suppress the forces of insurrection and be reborn as a democratic republic."

He described himself as "a small David standing before the great wall of hegemonic politics," and declared, "Based on the past two years of sticking to my convictions despite ridicule, I will break down the politics of extreme confrontation and realize coalition politics, a coalition government, and constitutional decentralization."

Kim defined this presidential election as "an opportunity for a political revolution to open the Seventh Republic." He said, "This election is a golden opportunity to amend the Constitution so that impure forces can never again attack the values of the democratic republic," and added, "We must move toward genuine sovereignty of the people and a government of the people’s power."

Specifically, he proposed dispersing the powers of the imperial presidency and the unicameral National Assembly, and significantly transferring the authority and finances of the central government to local governments, transforming the country into a "federation-level autonomous and decentralized nation." He also said that the abuse of legislative power by the largest party should be curbed to restore balance in legislative authority.

Kim asserted, "National unity and political reform have become empty words," and insisted, "Now is the time for politics that transcends the vested interests of parties and factions." Regarding the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, he said, "At the moment when the insurrection leader Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, I ran toward the National Assembly in Yeouido, recalling the courage of Gwangju citizens who stood up to the martial law troops in 1980," and added, "Today in Gwangju, I will begin the grand journey of a political revolution together with the people."