Kim Dongyeon: "Presidential Office to Sejong Immediately... Will Establish Three Seoul National Universities in Chungcheong"

April 19 Democratic Party Chungcheong Regional Primary Joint Speech
Kim Dongyeon Highlights His 'Chungcheong DNA' as a Native Son
"I Am the One to Stand Up to Trump... I Will Become the Economic President"

In the Chungcheong region, the first stop of the Democratic Party's nationwide primary tour, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon declared, "I will relocate the presidential office to Sejong immediately upon being elected president."

At a joint campaign rally for the Democratic Party's Chungcheong regional primary held at Cheongju Gymnasium in North Chungcheong Province on the afternoon of April 19, Governor Kim, who is running in the presidential primary, said, "From the very first day of my inauguration, I will work from Sejong." He added, "I will also relocate the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to the Chungcheong region."

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He also pledged to expand jobs and strengthen education in the Chungcheong region. Governor Kim stated, "I will build three major corporate cities in North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, and Daejeon," and added, "In connection with large corporate jobs, I will establish three 'Seoul National Universities.'"

Emphasizing his roots, Governor Kim said, "I am a 'Chungcheong person' born and raised here." He continued, "Mugeuk-ri, Geumwang-eup, Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province is my father's hometown and the place where I was born. My mother's hometown is Jincheon, the neighboring village, and my wife is from Nonsan, South Chungcheong."

He shared, "At seventeen, I became the head of a six-member household. During the day, I worked as a bank clerk; in the evening, I was a night college student; and late at night, I studied for the civil service exam, living three roles in one day." He added, "At the Ministry of Economy and Finance, I was considered an oddball for graduating from an unusual university, but I was recognized solely for my work ability."

Governor Kim said, "That 'dirt spoon' background now stands proudly on the stage of the Democratic Party's presidential primary," and declared, "Here in Chungcheong, where I was born and raised, I am embarking on a bold journey toward the 'fourth democratic government.'" He further stated, "I am truly delighted and honored to take my first step as a 'confident economic president.'"

With 'economic president' as his key slogan, Governor Kim pledged to focus on overcoming the economic crisis. He said, "During the Korea-US currency negotiations, I resolved not to return empty-handed and did not book a return flight. My negotiation partners said they feared Kim Dongyeon the most when he represented Korea."

He continued, "As Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy, I sat across from President Trump three times, and I confidently and successfully negotiated the Korea-US FTA and currency issues." He emphasized, "The person who will once again stand up to Trump and protect the national interest is me, Kim Dongyeon."

He declared, "I will achieve an 'economic grand coalition' to end inequality," and explained, "Large corporations will provide jobs, workers will embrace flexibility, and the government will pursue regulatory reform. Through this 'triangular big deal,' the three parties will exchange benefits, overcoming the 'economy of inequality' and moving toward an 'economy of opportunity.'"

He also stated, "I will definitely create ten major corporate cities and ten Seoul National Universities," and pledged, "I will fulfill a 400 trillion won investment in the climate industry and implement a national responsibility system for caregiving."

He said, "I learned 'a cool head and a warm heart' from President Kim Dae-jung, 'leadership of sacrifice and determination' from President Roh Moo-hyun, and 'integrity and dignity' from President Moon Jae-in." He continued, "I will be a president who is principled yet flexible, decisive in sacrifice, and a confident economic president with integrity and dignity."

Meanwhile, starting with the Chungcheong regional primary, the Democratic Party will hold primaries in the Yeongnam region on the 20th, in Honam on the 26th, and in the Seoul metropolitan area on the 27th. The final presidential candidate is scheduled to be confirmed on the 27th; if no candidate wins a majority, a runoff will be held and the candidate will be finalized on the 1st of next month.