Jung Cheong-rae, chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum. The meeting was effectively a response to the party's persistent request for Kim to run in Daegu. The former prime minister plans to announce his decision on whether to run on the 30th of this month.
At a meeting in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 26th, Jung said, "I have long believed that the only winning card to take the Daegu election is former Prime Minister Kim." He added, "That is why I made repeated appeals, and thinking I should make the request publicly, I raised the Daegu candidacy in my opening remarks at the Supreme Council meeting."
Jung continued, "Former Prime Minister Kim once forsook an easier path and challenged for a National Assembly seat and a mayoral race in Daegu, all for the sake of breaking down regional political divides and achieving national unity — a long-held dream of former President Roh Moo-hyun." He added, "I am desperately requesting as party chair that he demonstrate that same spirit once again this time."
Kim cited the "weight of public office" as the biggest reason he had been deliberating over whether to run. "The proposal was made a long time ago, but it seems like more than a month or two since the party began directly sending people and reaching out," Kim said. "In the process of wrapping up my political career, I wondered whether I could summon the same passion as before, and there was also the weight and apprehension that come with public office."
Kim explained, "So I was considering whether it would be better to give the opportunity to a younger generation, but when requests came from the party and from comrades working on the ground in Daegu asking me to make one more effort, I thought, 'This is going to be hard to turn down.'" He added, "Since things have come to this point, I thought it was only right to confirm the party's commitment to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region before giving my answer, and that is why I came here today."
The final announcement on his candidacy is expected on the 30th of this month. Kim said, "After meeting and talking with Chair Jung today, I will give my final position."
