[Full Text] Kim Dong-yeon Announces Presidential Bid "Pursuing 4-Year Renewable Decentralized Presidential System"

Declaration of Candidacy for the 21st Presidential Election
Emphasizing the Role as a "Catalyst for the 7th Republic"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon officially announced his candidacy for the 21st presidential election on the 9th, stating, "I will implement a four-year renewable decentralized presidential system." He also asserted that to lead the reform of vested interests, "I will reorganize the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the prosecution to the level of dismantlement."

Governor Kim made these remarks during a press conference titled 'Report on Departure to the United States and Declaration of Presidential Candidacy' held at the departure hall of Terminal 2 at Incheon International Airport that morning. He said, "I am running in the 21st presidential election out of an urgent feeling that things cannot continue as they are."

He explained, "This presidential election will decide whether South Korea returns to the past or moves toward the future," adding, "A mere change of government is not enough. We need a change beyond just a change of government."

He declared, "We must create a society where 'common sense and conscience put food on the table.' Let us restore the common sense and conscience that are dying in front of money and vested interests and build a society where shortcuts and illegality do not work."

To this end, Kim emphasized three visions. To lead the reform of vested interests, he declared, "I will play the role of a catalyst to open the door to the 7th Republic by implementing a four-year renewable decentralized presidential system, a runoff voting system, and shortening the presidential term by three years to align with the general election cycle." He also emphasized, "I will reorganize the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the prosecution to the level of dismantlement and abolish the 'former official cartel' in the public service and legal circles, including restrictions on employment at law firms."

He proposed five major big deals to end inequality. Kim stated, "Through an 'economic grand coalition,' I will redraw the map of the Korean economy and the lives of the people," and claimed, "With the 'opportunity economy big deal,' where large corporations provide jobs, workers gain flexibility, and the government undertakes regulatory reforms; the 'regional balance big deal,' creating 10 major corporate cities; the 'climate economy big deal'; the 'care economy big deal'; and the 'tax-fiscal big deal,' which involves generous give-and-take, we will overcome the 'inequality economy' and create a land of opportunity."

Finally, he said, "I will not make rosy lies with promises I cannot fulfill. I will not pursue populist policies," adding, "I will not irresponsibly promote tax cuts and will be a president who stands proudly before the people and on the international stage."

Kim declared, "I will create momentum in this election with a '3 no's and 3 yes's' campaign," stating, "I will not engage in negative campaigning during the election period, nor will I create a flashy mammoth campaign organization. I will not mobilize organizations for electioneering." Instead, he claimed, "I will compete based on vision and policies, and rather than a large campaign team, I, the candidate, will run the election with a lone rider's spirit. Together with volunteers, youth, and the people, we will have a 'young election.'"

Yonhap News

Full text of Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon's presidential candidacy declaration

"Kim Dong-yeon can do it best." Fellow citizens, I am running for the 21st presidential election.

I am running out of an urgent feeling that things cannot continue as they are.

If we only change the government as it is, will the country improve,

and will there be hope that we can unite the hearts of the people?

This presidential election will decide whether South Korea returns to the past

or moves toward the future.

A mere change of government is not enough.

We need a change beyond just a change of government.

The path lies in 'a country for all, an advanced nation for my life.'

We must become 'a country for all' where the rights and dignity of each citizen are respected

and national energy is united as one.

A country where a person's life has dignity, matching the world's top 10 economies,

an 'advanced nation for my life.'

We must create a society where 'common sense and conscience put food on the table.'

Let us restore the common sense and conscience that are dying in front of money and vested interests

and build a society where shortcuts and illegality do not work.

Honest people, those who sweat, and those who care for others

let us build a prosperous society together.

Now is the time to create a 'dream country,' not a 'convenience country.'

Along with ending internal strife, we must also end politics akin to civil war.

Beyond ending internal strife, ending inequality is the true task of our era.

It is time to revive the sinking economy and people's livelihoods.

I, Kim Dong-yeon, can do it.

During the 1998 foreign exchange crisis, the 2008 financial crisis, and as the first Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs after the 2017 impeachment,

I have experience and know-how to solve economic crises.

I have over 30 years of experience and networks on the international stage.

With the belief that I can do it well and must do it,

I will ignite a 'pleasant rebellion of South Korea.'

First, I will relinquish power and lead the reform of vested interests.

A four-year renewable decentralized presidential system, a runoff voting system,

and shortening the presidential term by three years to align with the general election cycle,

I will play the role of a catalyst to open the door to the 7th Republic.

I will reorganize the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the prosecution to the level of dismantlement.

I will abolish the 'former official cartel' in the public service and legal circles, including restrictions on employment at law firms.

I will also change the political arena filled with the vested interests of the 'two major parties' through election system reform, abolition of parliamentary privileges, and introduction of political vouchers.

Second, to end inequality, I will lead a historic social agreement.

Through an 'economic grand coalition,' I will redraw the map of the Korean economy and the lives of the people.

The 'opportunity economy big deal,' where large corporations provide jobs, workers gain flexibility, and the government undertakes regulatory reforms;

the 'regional balance big deal,' creating 10 major corporate cities;

the 'climate economy big deal,' investing 400 trillion won in the climate industry;

the 'care economy big deal,' preventing care-related deaths through a national responsibility system for caregiving;

and the 'tax-fiscal big deal,' securing 200 trillion won in finances through halting tax cuts and adjusting the national debt ratio.

With these generous 'five big deals,'

I will overcome the 'inequality economy' and create a land of opportunity.

Third, I will be an honest and dignified president.

I will not make rosy lies with promises I cannot fulfill.

I will not pursue populist policies.

I will not irresponsibly promote tax cuts.

I will be a president who stands proudly before the people and on the international stage.

Fellow citizens,

I have no faction or organization. I am not well-versed in political engineering.

However, the people who worry about the country are my faction,

and the people who worry about the economy are my organization.

In this election, I will create momentum with a '3 no's and 3 yes's' campaign.

I will not engage in negative campaigning during the election period.

I will not create a flashy mammoth campaign organization.

I will not mobilize organizations for electioneering.

Instead, I will compete based on vision and policies.

Rather than a large campaign team, I, the candidate, will run the election with a lone rider's spirit.

Together with volunteers, youth, and the people, we will have a 'young election.'

Now begins my 'pleasant rebellion' toward 'a country for all, an advanced nation for my life.'

Please join me.

Thank you.