Kim Visits Jinju Central Market to Appeal for Support
Targets Yeongnam Region for Third Consecutive Day, Rallying Conservative Base
Strengthening Research, Development, and Education in Aerospace Industry
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo visited Jinju, Gyeongnam on May 14 and emphasized, "I will make the aerospace industry the best in the world," adding, "I will become a president of science and technology."
On the third day of his official campaign, Kim has been focusing on the conservative stronghold of the Yeongnam region since the first day, appealing for support by pledging to make Gyeongnam a hub for the aerospace industry.
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo is greeting supporters before campaigning at Jinju Gwangmi Intersection in Jinju, Gyeongnam on the 14th. Photo by Yonhap News
Meeting with citizens at Jinju Gwangmi Intersection on the morning of May 14, Kim stated, "It is no longer just about building good airplanes. We will also excel at manufacturing launch vehicles, so that Jinju, Sacheon, and Gyeongnam can become great centers that reach the Moon, Mars, and space. I will actively support this goal."
Kim added, "To achieve this, we must first develop the Aerospace Administration well, but the government should also actively support Gyeongsang National University so that aerospace-related academic fields can advance to a higher level. I will provide research and development funding to Gyeongsang National University and other universities in the Jinju area."
He continued, "While we are familiar with automobiles and ships, many people think the aerospace sector is difficult. We need to provide good education in this field from a young age, such as in middle and high schools. In addition to specialized technical training, we must work with citizens to develop the aerospace industry so that the public's understanding of aerospace can increase significantly."
Kim addressed critics who question his knowledge of science and technology, saying, "Some ask how much I know about science and technology, but President Park Chunghee, who developed the steel, automobile, shipbuilding, and defense industries, was not a scientist or engineer. What matters is recognizing the value of science and technology and nurturing the world's top experts to make Jinju, Sacheon, and Gyeongnam great."
Earlier that morning, at around 8 a.m., Kim began the third day of his official campaign at Jinju Central Market.
As Kim got out of his car and entered the market, the area was packed with supporters and merchants. Supporters cheered, chanting "Kim Moonsoo, President," while Kim walked around the market, buying goods and encouraging the merchants.
At the Jinju campaign site on this day, several lawmakers accompanied Kim, including Park Daechul, who has been nominated as the party's secretary general, as well as Lee Heonseung, Seo Chunho, Kang Minguk, Seo Iljun, and Lee Manhee.
Until the previous day, Kim had campaigned for one night and two days in Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) and Busan, regions with strong conservative support. On this day, he planned to travel throughout Gyeongnam to consolidate his support base.
Given the recent internal conflict over candidate unification, which led to divisions within the conservative camp, Kim's strategy is interpreted as an effort to first solidify the conservative stronghold in the Yeongnam region. Strengthening psychological unity with Yeongnam voters is a key task for narrowing the gap with Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung and distinguishing himself from Reform Party candidate Lee Joonseok.
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Munsu is campaigning on the 14th at Jinju Gwangmi Intersection in Jinju, Gyeongnam. Photo by Yonhap News
After completing his schedule in Jinju on May 14, Kim moved to Sacheon and visited the Aerospace Administration.
Kim stressed, "The aerospace sector is not just a matter of science and technology; it is a core industry related to the future national power of the Republic of Korea. I believe it occupies a central position in fields such as scientific research and education."
He added, "I promise to provide focused support so that we can reach a world-class level in a short period of time. Providing strong support so that we can compete with advanced countries like the United States, China, and Russia is a national and all-citizen task."
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