Kim Kyung-soo, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Gyeongnam governor in the June 3 local elections, said on the 10th that he will make a "declaration to immediately restore the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (BUG) Megacity" at Bonghwa Village together with Busan mayoral candidate Jeon Jae-su and Ulsan mayoral candidate Kim Sang-wook.
Kim appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 10th and stated, "The maritime capital region and immediate restoration of the BUG Megacity are the core agenda items that all three candidates will pursue together." The three candidates plan to move to Bonghwa Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, the day after Jeon receives his official nomination certificate from party headquarters on the 13th to make the declaration.
Kim described himself along with candidates Jeon and Kim as the "BUG Dream Team," expressing confidence in victory by saying, "New people will bring comprehensive change across the BUG region." He added, "The BUG region was one of the two pillars driving Korea's growth alongside the Seoul metropolitan area, but now it has declined to the point where that claim is embarrassing. We intend to use this opportunity to transform traditional manufacturing into a maritime capital and aerospace capital, including through artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. This cannot be done separately."
Regarding his past removal from the Gyeongnam governorship due to the Druking scandal, Kim said, "I always sincerely apologize to the residents whenever I have the opportunity for not completing my term. I will finish what I started—the BUG Megacity, the West Gyeongnam KTX, Gadeok New Airport—and repay my debt to the residents."
Regarding his competitor, incumbent Gyeongnam Governor Park Wan-su of the People Power Party, Kim said, "You could say he has managed things without major issues," but added critically, "Steady management seems to have hit its limits. Governor Park dismantled the BUG Megacity immediately after taking office, and losing that opportunity is one of the reasons Gyeongnam is struggling now."
Meanwhile, Kim positively assessed former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum's candidacy in Daegu, another region where the Democratic Party has struggled, like Gyeongnam, saying, "It will have a very positive influence. I believe it's giving residents a sense of possibility and expectation for victory across the Yeongnam region."
Regarding speculation that Ha Jung-woo, Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning, might run in the Busan Buk-gap by-election triggered by Jeon's candidacy, Kim said, "It would be wonderful if he ran, but from what I hear from the presidential office, the President seems to rely heavily on Secretary Ha. It would be difficult if the President doesn't permit him to run, so I'm not sure."
