The Democratic Party of Korea made a strategic nomination Wednesday of attorney Kim Young-bin, a former prosecutor, as its candidate for the by-election in Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang in South Chungcheong Province, which will be held alongside the June 3 local elections.
The party's Strategic Nomination Management Committee passed the resolution the same day, Chief Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon said. "He is a reform figure who laid the groundwork for the prosecutorial reform legislation the party is pursuing," Kang said. "With public service experience in looking after people's livelihoods on the side of the citizens and expertise honed in the field, he is the optimal tailored talent to overcome the regional extinction crisis and get the economy running again."
With this, the Democratic Party has completed the nomination process for all 14 parliamentary by-election seats.
Earlier in the day at a talent recruitment ceremony, party leader Jung Chung-rae introduced Kim, saying, "He is a Gongju native and a Chungcheong person to the bone." He added, "I am truly pleased that he has stepped forward to use the administrative experience and capabilities he built at the prosecution and the Ministry of Justice for the development of Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang."
Kim said, "I will repay with my whole being the grace of my hometown and the trust of the Democratic Party that embraced me." He added, "A prepared Kim Young-bin will now begin a great first step toward a bigger leap for Gongju, Buyeo and Cheongyang with the fresh perspective of someone in his 40s."
