Kim Holds Presidential Candidacy Press Conference at Sejong City Hall
Debates National Crisis Solutions
Proposes 'Coalition of Light'
Constitutional Amendment Planned for Next Year's Local Elections
Suggests Five Mega-City Autonomous Governments
Stresses Pro-Roh and Pro-Moon Legitimacy, Checks Lee Jaemyung
"Experience of Integration and Solidarity Learned on the Shoulders of Giants"
Former Gyeongnam Governor and Democratic Party presidential hopeful Kim Kyung-soo officially declared his candidacy for the early June 3 presidential election on the 13th, pledging to achieve an overwhelming regime change through a 'Coalition of Light' agreement reached via a 100-day grand compromise with anti-insurrection and constitutional protection forces.
At a press conference held at the briefing room of Sejong City Hall on the same day, Kim said, "Through a 100-day grand compromise and a five-year emergency government, we will create a grand plan and vision," adding that he would immediately pursue the '100-day grand compromise and vision creation' upon the launch of the next government.
He emphasized, "Although Yoon Seok-yeol has been impeached, the insurrection continues, and we must completely end it through an overwhelming regime change. Political and institutional reforms are necessary to prevent unfortunate incidents like martial law from happening again," and explained, "Forces opposing the insurrection and protecting the constitution will come together to fiercely debate national crisis solutions and future visions, and reach an agreement to form a 'Coalition of Light.'
Regarding the People Power Party candidates' pledge for constitutional amendment, he criticized, "While the completion of ending the insurrection requires constitutional amendment, the discussion of amendment cannot be a means for the insurrection forces to evade responsibility," and questioned, "How can they talk about constitutional amendment while coexisting with forces that destroy the constitutional order under the banner of Yoon Seok-yeol's party?"
He continued, "Constitutional amendment must be promoted through a solid alliance and coalition of constitutional protection forces," stressing, "We will create a new constitution responsible for the people's lives together with the public and open a new era of the Seventh Republic." Kim explained that constitutional amendment would be realized through social public discourse and deliberation after the presidential election and during next year's local elections.
He also revealed his plan to complete the relocation of the administrative capital to Sejong, which late President Roh Moo-hyun had pursued during his tenure. Holding the presidential candidacy press conference in Sejong was also intended to inherit President Roh's legacy and local decentralization.
Kim stated, "Yongsan, a symbol of the insurrection, can no longer be used as the presidential office. There is no reason for the president to necessarily be in Seoul," and explained, "I will completely relocate the administrative capital to Sejong City."
He proposed five mega-city autonomous governments to alleviate overpopulation in the metropolitan area. Kim said, "We must change the basic framework of national governance. We need to diversify South Korea's growth axes. Instead of a single metropolitan area, the country should be divided into five regions to create five growth axes," and emphasized, "I propose 'five mega-city autonomous governments by region' and will create an era where these five mega-city autonomous governments lead national development by reorganizing administrative districts."
He added, "Furthermore, we must move toward a federal-level local autonomy. Only then can we prevent the president from becoming an absolute ruler," and said, "We will amend the constitution to make local governments into autonomous governments and codify their autonomy."
This is also interpreted as a strategy by Kim, who served as the last secretary to President Roh and is a key figure in the current Democratic Party dominated by Lee Jae-myung's faction, to repeatedly emphasize his legitimacy as a pro-Roh and pro-Moon figure. Kim highlighted his experience working in the Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in administrations and serving as governor of Gyeongnam, stating, "I am the only candidate with experience in legislation, administration, and national governance, possessing the experience and vision of integration and solidarity learned on the shoulders of giants."
He said, "The Democratic Party, which has the achievements and failures of the three major democratic governments of Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in, will demonstrate capable leadership based on experience," and emphasized, "Give me a chance. With the desperation I had while fasting to urge Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment, I will overcome South Korea's crisis."
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