Leaving the party 16 years ago used as a pretext for a “25% deduction”... “I will not be made to suffer twice”
At risk of being cut off despite loyalty to the party... “I will face the judgment of the residents, not the organization”
Kim Shin, a leading prospective candidate in the upcoming Wando County governor election, strongly criticized the unfairness of the Democratic Party’s nomination process and made official his decision to leave the party and run as an independent. As he drew a line in the sand, declaring that he would face the direct judgment of Wando residents in response to the party’s move to cut him from nomination, the political landscape in Wando has been thrown into turmoil.
On the afternoon of the 26th, Kim held a press conference at his office and stated, “The future of Wando does not belong to any political party, but to all the residents of the county,” adding, “Rather than waiting for the organization’s decision, I will face the direct judgment of the people of Wando County myself.”
Kim Shin, a prospective candidate for Wando County governor, held a press conference at his office on the afternoon of the 26th and announced he would run as an independent. Reporter Lee Junkyung
▲“Non-Wando natives are controlling the nominations... This is the last battle of my 25-year political career”
Kim pointed to a “tilted playing field” in the party’s nomination screening as the decisive reason for his departure. He argued, “Despite demonstrating competitiveness in various opinion polls, there was a clear move to exclude me by using my departure from the party 16 years ago as a pretext to brand me as a ‘candidate subject to a 25% deduction.’”
In particular, he directly criticized the fact that the current district party chair and nomination committee executives leading the nomination process are not from Wando. He said, “I have devoted myself to politics for 25 years, and this election is the greatest and final challenge of my life,” and raised his voice, saying, “If I were to step down unfairly, leaving the fate of Wando in the hands of people who are not even from my hometown, it would be a lifelong source of bitter regret.”
Born in Wando and having remained in his hometown for more than 50 years, he stressed, “I have tirelessly traveled through all 12 towns and townships, sharing in the joys and sorrows of the region,” adding, “I want to be evaluated as someone who truly knows Wando, not as a politician who only shows up during election season.”
▲With an eye on a realignment of the opposition camp... leaving the door open to joining the Cho Kuk Innovation Party
Although he declared his independent candidacy, he signaled a thoroughly realistic calculation regarding his future political path. While effectively taking for granted a “special readmission” to the Democratic Party after winning the election, Kim did not hide the possibility of joining the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, which has recently been making waves in the Honam region.
Prospective candidate Kim Shin and his supporters voiced deep disappointment over the party's push for a cutoff and announced they would fight the final battle of his 25-year political career. Lee Jungkyung, Reporter
He said, “I am someone who was mobilized to candlelight rallies on the cold asphalt of Yeouido and did my utmost for the Democratic Party,” expressing his disappointment, while also recounting the intense internal debates that raged within his campaign camp for more than a week.
Kim stated, “I am starting out as an independent for now, but if the Cho Kuk Innovation Party’s momentum centered on Gwangju and South Jeolla Province grows stronger and it is judged to be unconditionally more advantageous for winning, I have not closed the door on taking that path.”
This is interpreted as a strategy to shape the electoral landscape in the way most favorable to him, even considering the possibility of a merger within the opposition camp before the next general election.
▲“I will open a second Jang Bogo era”... Zeroing in on overcoming population extinction and revitalizing the economy
Kim put “sustainable economic revitalization” at the forefront as the solution to the greatest crisis facing Wando County: the problem of “population extinction.”
He pledged, “I will not allow the fisheries and tourism industries to remain mere primary service sectors, but will elevate them into high value-added future industries,” and vowed, “I will open a second Jang Bogo era and create quality jobs so that young people can return and settle here.”
In addition, he presented as key tasks: a dramatic improvement of the poor medical infrastructure, a substantial enhancement of tailored welfare for the elderly, and the fostering of new industries, promising, “I will realize true politics that designs happy lives for residents, not politics for my own benefit.”
Having failed to clear the party nomination hurdle in two previous elections, attention in local political circles is now focused on what kind of stir he will cause in the Wando County governor race as he raises a new sail, either as an “independent” or from a “third political zone.”
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