Kim Bu-kyum, former Prime Minister and newly selected Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Daegu mayor, said he would find it difficult to pay a courtesy visit to former President Park Geun-hye if Rep. Yoo Young-ha wins the People Power Party's primary for the same race. Kim cited concerns about propriety, given Yoo's close ties to the former president.
Kim made the remarks during a YTN radio appearance on Wednesday.
"Candidate Yoo Young-ha, who served alongside President Park Geun-hye for a long time, is currently running," Kim said. "If Candidate Yoo becomes the People Power Party nominee, I don't think it would be proper etiquette for me to visit her."
He added, "If Candidate Yoo doesn't win and someone else becomes the nominee, then I am in the process of paying respects to community elders, and if she permits, I would like to visit her."
Kim expressed concern about last-minute conservative consolidation as an election variable and cautioned against inflammatory remarks from Democratic Party leadership. "Daegu citizens are warm-hearted but also proud people. I worry they might waver at the end if the People Power Party pleads with them, saying 'Please save us,'" he said. "I will work to give them confidence so they don't waver, and I sincerely hope that central party figures in the Democratic Party refrain from arrogant or excessive remarks until the very end."
Kim emphasized his value as a candidate from the ruling party with political clout. "It's not that I'm particularly exceptional, but at this time, wouldn't it make sense to put Kim Bu-kyum to work on various tasks?" he said. "The presidential term has four years left, and the mayoral term is also four years. From that perspective, I'm appealing for people to use me—I can be useful."