Joint Speech Event for the Democratic Party Presidential Primary in the Yeongnam Region
Kim Kyungsoo, former governor of Gyeongnam and a candidate in the Democratic Party presidential primary, pledged on April 20 to create "five distinct metropolitan areas across the nation" as part of his campaign, proposing the establishment of "five major regional megacities."
On the 18th, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyungsoo is wearing a microphone during the first TV debate of the 21st presidential candidate Democratic Party primary held at Sangam MBC Studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
At a joint speech event for the Yeongnam region primary held at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, Kim stated, "I will fulfill the dream of balanced national development, which was the vision of Roh Moo-hyun, through my own dream of megacities."
He further explained, "We need to divide the country into five regions?Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Honam, Chungcheong, and the Seoul metropolitan area?and establish five megacities. Only then can both the capital area and the provinces thrive together."
He also emphasized, "No matter which city or region you visit in Yeongnam, people should be able to travel solely by public transportation, just as they do in the Seoul metropolitan area." He pledged to connect Busan, Changwon, and Ulsan with a circular rail network, and to build a major circular railway linking Changwon, Dongdaegu, and Gyeongbuk. He also announced his intention to complete the West Gyeongnam KTX line connecting Gimcheon, Jinju, and Geoje.
Kim also pledged to relocate the Korea Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of Korea to Busan. He stated, "I will develop Busan into a global policy finance city and a logistics hub for Northeast Asia," adding, "I will ensure the success of the Gyeongju APEC. I will also complete the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated Airport and the Gadeok New Airport within my term."
Kim further stated, "Thanks to your support in Yeongnam, we were able to establish three democratic governments. Now, I, Kim Kyungsoo, am ready to walk that path. Together with our party members, as well as candidates Lee Jaemyung and Kim Dongyeon, I will achieve not just another victory, but an overwhelming victory."
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