Kim Dong-yeon Declares Presidential Run at Incheon Airport Before Departing for the US on the 9th... Reasons?

Staying in Michigan to Pursue Tariff Diplomacy
Strategy Seen as Move to Highlight 'Economic Expertise'

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon will announce his candidacy for the 21st presidential election on the 9th.

Kim's camp stated on the 8th, "He will hold a press conference at the departure hall of Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport to declare his presidential candidacy while making an urgent trip abroad to respond to U.S. tariffs on automobile parts."

Immediately after declaring his presidential candidacy, Governor Kim plans to stay in Michigan, the home state of the three major U.S. automobile manufacturers General Motors (GM), Ford, and Stellantis, for four days and two nights to engage in tariff diplomacy.

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

As Kim has previously cited his strengths in economics, global networks, and unity, his declaration before departure is interpreted as a strategy to showcase his expertise as an economic specialist.

Earlier, during a lecture at Seoul National University on the 25th of last month, Kim responded to a question about what makes him better than Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, by saying, "I have been responsible for the country's economy through 34 years of economic policy." He also claimed to be the right person to lead the grassroots economy, stating, "I was a boy head of the household worried about meals and lived in a tent, but I have lived positively and proactively."

Meanwhile, in the Democratic Party, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Du-kwan declared his presidential candidacy the day before. There are also prospects that Lee Jae-myung will resign from his party leadership position as early as the next day and announce his presidential bid. Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, both considered non-Lee (anti-Lee Jae-myung) presidential candidates, are also mentioned as potential contenders.