Kim Expected to Challenge Oh Sehoon and Focus on Addressing Inequality
Kim Youngbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Seongbuk-gu Gap in Seoul and former mayor of Seongbuk District, will run in next June's Seoul mayoral election. Drawing on his extensive administrative experience as a Blue House secretary, district mayor, and lawmaker, Kim has proposed to address the issue of "time inequality" faced by Seoul citizens in areas such as housing and transportation.
On December 15, Kim announced that he will hold a declaration of candidacy ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on the 16th in front of the old Seoul Station (Culture Station Seoul 284). The event will proceed in the following order: citizens' declarations of support, Kim's official announcement of candidacy, and a Q&A session with reporters.
Kim, who graduated from Korea University's Department of Political Science and International Relations and holds a master's degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, previously served as Event Planning Secretary at the Blue House during the Roh Moo-hyun administration and as Civil Affairs Secretary and Policy Coordination Secretary during the Moon Jae-in administration. He served as mayor of Seongbuk District for the 5th and 6th popular elections and is currently serving as a member of the National Assembly for the 21st and 22nd terms representing Seongbuk-gu Gap in Seoul.
Kim Youngbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (photo), announced on the 15th that he will hold a declaration of candidacy ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on the 16th in front of the old Seoul Station (Culture Station Seoul 284). Photo by Yonhap News
During his tenure as Seongbuk District mayor, Kim clashed with then-Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon in 2010 by implementing the city's first eco-friendly free school meal program. Citizens such as Lee Binpa, who remember the situation at the time, will participate in the citizens' declaration of support. Cho Daeyeop, a professor at Korea University who served as Chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning during the Moon Jae-in administration, is also scheduled to speak about Kim.
Kim plans to make a campaign pledge to correct "time inequality," which he defines as the gap in time experienced by citizens due to the concentration of industry and jobs in central Seoul compared to its outskirts.
In a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily, Kim said, "Some people waste time commuting, and it takes a long time to find housing," adding, "I will announce a pledge that addresses 'time inequality' by expanding freedom of movement and proximity between workplaces and residences, and by guaranteeing time for Seoul citizens."
Kim also intends to highlight his competitiveness by drawing on his experience in both central and local administration, legislative work, and parliamentary diplomacy, including two terms as a Blue House secretary, two terms as district mayor, and serving as a ruling party secretary on the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and the Korea-U.S. Parliamentary Exchange Council.
Kim emphasized, "To manage a global city like Seoul, simple administration is not enough. One must possess both the management skills and capabilities of comprehensive administration," adding, "My true character is that of a comprehensive administrator. My experience and expertise in administration are more extensive than anyone else's."
Following lawmakers Park Hongkeun (Jungnang-eul, Seoul) and Park Jumin (Eunpyeong-gap, Seoul), Kim is the third candidate from the ruling party to announce his bid. Other potential candidates include lawmaker Jun Hyunhee (Jung and Seongdong-gap, Seoul), lawmaker Seo Youngkyo (Jungnang-gap, Seoul), former lawmakers Hong Ikpyo and Park Yongjin, and Seongdong District Mayor Jeong Wono.
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