Kim Kyungsoo: "Will Fulfill Roh's Dream of Administrative Capital... Promote CTX Linking Daejeon and Cheongju"

Kim Kyungsoo: "Not a Single Day in Yongsan... Move to Sejong"
Completing the "Coalition of Light" and Emphasizing Direct State Investment

Former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyungsoo stated in Chungcheong, the first stop of the Democratic Party's regional primary tour, "Now is the time for both the presidential office and the National Assembly to be located in Sejong," adding, "I will complete the dream of making Sejong the administrative capital within my term, and as soon as possible."

At the joint campaign speech for the Democratic Party's Chungcheong regional primary held at Cheongju Gymnasium in North Chungcheong Province on the afternoon of the 19th, Kim said, "Should we really use the presidential office in Yongsan, the epicenter of the coup, even for a single day?" He referred to his campaign announcement event in Sejong Special Self-Governing City last weekend, stating, "Relocating the administrative capital and achieving balanced national development were the dreams of President Roh Moo-hyun over 20 years ago," and emphasized, "Now is the time to complete the dream of an administrative capital."

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Kim pledged, "The next administration will take full responsibility for ensuring the success of the Chungcheong Mega City," and added, "In a country where regional extinction has become a reality, the Chungcheong Mega City can be a new alternative." He continued, "We will amend the Constitution to elevate local governments to the status of regional governments," and promised, "We will clearly stipulate local autonomy, and expand both fiscal and administrative autonomy."

He stated, "We will provide more than 30 trillion won in annual discretionary budgets to the five major mega cities (the Capital Region, Chungcheong, Honam, Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam, and Daegu-Gyeongbuk)," and added, "The socio-economic system of Chungcheong will be completely transformed in line with the super-regional development plan created by the region itself."

Kim emphasized, "A dense metropolitan transportation network is essential for the success of the Chungcheong Mega City," and pledged, "We will expedite the construction of the Chungcheong Metropolitan Express Railway (CTX) connecting Daejeon and Cheongju." He further explained, "We will do our utmost to expand Chungcheong's metropolitan transportation network, including the inland line connecting Jincheon and Cheongju Airport within the capital region, and the east-west cross-country railway connecting Seosan and Uljin in the central region."

He also stated, "We will establish regional industrial banks and regional investment banks in each mega city to focus investments on local ventures, small and medium-sized enterprises, and small business owners," and stressed, "We will create a 50 trillion won private venture fund over five years to invest in regional venture funds where private investment is difficult."

Kim said that an overwhelming victory in the presidential election is necessary to complete the 'Coalition of Light.' He asserted, "Only by achieving a major reform and overhaul of Korean society can we completely end the era of coups," and added, "The Democratic Party needs a 'plus alpha'." He continued, "We will change the government through a 'Solidarity of Light' and build a 'government for me, us, and everyone' through a coalition of light."

He also pledged that the state would directly invest during this time of crisis. Kim stated, "We will use artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology to strengthen the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector and create an ecosystem where new innovative companies can succeed," and emphasized, "We will actively respond to the climate crisis by achieving an energy transition, and in the process, create 500,000 quality jobs annually."

He said, "I participated in all three democratic administrations of Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in," and added, "We will realize Roh Moo-hyun's dream of an administrative capital and Kim Kyungsoo's dream of a mega city together here in Chungcheong," concluding, "Through the Solidarity of Light, we will build a nation for me and for us."

Meanwhile, starting with the Chungcheong regional primary, the Democratic Party will hold the Yeongnam regional primary on the 20th, the Honam regional primary on the 26th, and the Capital Region primary on the 27th. The final presidential candidate will be confirmed on the 27th; if no candidate wins a majority, a runoff will be held and the nominee will be confirmed on the 1st of next month.