Kim Young-hwan, the governor of Chungbuk, officially announced his bid for re-election. On the 23rd, during a press conference held at the briefing room of the Chungbuk Provincial Office, Governor Kim stated, “I am declaring my candidacy for the Chungbuk Governor position in the upcoming 63rd local election to build a stronger Chungbuk beyond the center of Korea.”
He further emphasized the completion of the K-Bio Square as a global bio-innovation hub and the construction of a civilian-only runway at Cheongju International Airport to solidify its status as a central hub airport. He declared, “Building on the achievements of the 8th popular election, I will certainly complete a strong Chungbuk, the center of Korea.”
Additionally, he stated, “I will not remain just the governor of Chungbuk but aim to be the governor of Korea,” promising to open a new path for regional balanced development and local government, spreading the change and innovation DNA of Chungbuk nationwide.
On May 3, Governor Kim initially planned to announce his candidacy in mid-May after completing the People Power Party’s main primary elections. However, he moved up his announcement date, saying, “Because I experienced ups and downs after being cut off and then reinstated, many residents questioned if I would run after the debate. I thought it necessary to officially declare my candidacy.”
The primary runoff between Governor Kim and lawyer Yun Gap-geun is scheduled for the 25th-26th, with a 50% weighting from the electoral college and public opinion polls.
While incumbent Governor Kim Young-hwan has an advantage in terms of recognition, the electoral college, composed of party members, remains a variable. Pre-candidate Yun Gap-geun previously won against former National Police Agency chief Yoon Hee-geun in a primary that was decided by 70% electoral college and 30% public opinion poll. Party members supported Yun.
Some local observers speculate that Governor Kim expedited his candidacy announcement to minimize such variables.
Governor Kim also hinted at suspicions of fraud targeting the Democratic Party’s Chungbuk governor candidate Shin Yong-han, deputy chair of the Local Era Committee.
He asserted, “The ongoing events here in the Chungbuk governor’s race are much larger than the Druking scandal,” and stressed the need for meticulous and prompt investigation by election authorities and police if there is illegal manipulation deciding candidacy in the primaries.
Regarding controversies labeling him as a ‘judicial risk,’ he strongly refuted, stating, “Despite many false accusations, I have not been prosecuted for anything.
He also remarked, “I remember the media that labeled me as a judicial risk, and I will take action on these unfair issues one by one.”