Kim Jin-pyo: "Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial race must hold primary within unified party"...positioning himself as qualified candidate

Democratic Party Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, who declared his candidacy for Gyeonggi Province governor in the June 4 nationwide local elections, said on the 6th regarding former Gyeonggi Province Superintendent of Education Kim Sang-gon's declaration to run for governor, "We must compete fairly and admirably to receive good evaluations from the people, which will build competitiveness for the general election."

Rep. Kim Jin-pyo held a press briefing at the National Assembly Members' Hall and said, "So-called strategic nominations packaged as big deals or sharing stakes have been pointed out as a representative example of old politics that we must reject. How can the unified new party for new politics do this kind of old politics?" and made these remarks.

The congressman also said, "The Conservative Party has announced fierce primary races in both Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, but if our unified party proceeds flatly without primaries, will there be competitiveness for the general election?" and emphasized, "This (primary) is a procedure that cannot be omitted for victory in the June 4 local elections."

Regarding the former superintendent, he said, "He is a good candidate with excellent achievements as superintendent of education," but added, "If a Democratic Party provincial governor were elected in Gyeonggi Province, there is regret that it would have been well handled as an optimal combination of education innovation and economic management with Superintendent Kim Sang-gon."

Regarding the primary method, he said, "The primary rules must be established on transparent principles as anyone would think. It should be entrusted to the National Election Commission to be managed strictly, objectively and comprehensively," and argued, "Through fierce policy competition, if necessary, regional rotation debate forums should naturally be held."

Rep. Kim particularly emphasized, "I am the most competitive candidate as I have experience overcoming the IMF crisis and served as vice prime minister for economic affairs in the Participatory Government," and said, "Gyeonggi Province is a microcosm of the Republic of Korea in income scale, population composition, and all terrain. To demonstrate integrative leadership that unites Gyeonggi Province as one, diverse national experience is essential."

Regarding the electoral landscape, he also said, "In Gyeonggi Province, surprising candidates like progressive Yoo Si-min and conservative Oh Se-hoon do not appeal," and appealed, "I am the competitive candidate to win the general election with ideological consistency in promoting moderate reform, gaining support from the middle class and ordinary people in terms of class, receiving even support across regions with great vote expandability."

He said, "A strong economy means an abundance of good jobs and strong small and medium enterprises. Based on this, I will achieve sound and efficient strong finances, and on that foundation, proceed with strong welfare through shoulder-to-shoulder welfare," and stated, "I will demonstrate collaborative leadership actively cooperating with civil society through the two wheels of culture where creative power blooms and semi-public bus management."