Kim Youngbae, Former Blue House Official under Roh and Moon Administrations, Announces Seoul Mayoral Bid... Third Incumbent Lawmaker to Declare Candidacy

Kim Youngbae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his candidacy on December 16 for the Democratic primary in the 9th nationwide local elections for Seoul mayor, scheduled for June 3 next year. Among incumbent lawmakers, he is the third to officially declare his candidacy, following Park Honggeun and Park Joomin.

Kim Youngbae, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At a press conference held at Culture Station Seoul 284 in Jung-gu, Seoul, at 10:30 a.m. that day, Assemblyman Kim stated, "It is time to address the time inequality that arises as the gap between the outskirts and the center of Seoul, caused by industrial and employment concentration, translates into a 'time gap' for citizens." He added, "Based on my proven administrative capabilities and national policy experience, I will bring real change to Seoul."

Assemblyman Kim previously served as Event Planning Secretary in the Blue House under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, and as Civil Affairs Secretary and Policy Coordination Secretary in the Blue House under the Moon Jae-in administration. He is well known for introducing the 'nation's first eco-friendly free school meal' policy in 2010, during his tenure as mayor of Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, in the 5th and 6th popularly elected administrations (2010-2018).

At the time, then-Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon opposed the full implementation of this policy and even pushed for a local referendum, but the attempt failed, ultimately leading to his resignation. Free school meals are now implemented nationwide and have become a representative achievement of universal welfare.

Subsequently, Assemblyman Kim was elected as a member of the 21st and 22nd National Assembly for Seongbuk-gap, Seoul.

The race for the Seoul mayoral candidacy within the ruling bloc is more competitive than ever. In addition to Park Honggeun and Park Joomin, who have officially declared their candidacies, Seo Youngkyo and Jun Hyunhee have also expressed their intentions to run. Former lawmakers Park Yongjin and Hong Ikpyo are preparing to join the race, and Jung Wono, the head of Seongdong-gu, who quickly rose to national prominence after receiving public praise from President Lee Jaemyung, is also expected to run.