Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon publicly reflected on his political journey and asked party members for their support as he seeks reelection in the June 3 local elections.
"I ask myself whether I have repaid the dedication of my comrades," Kim wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday. "I fell far short."
The governor looked back on the past four years since party members elected him as the only Democratic Party metropolitan governor in the capital region. He acknowledged distancing himself from the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction that had formed the core of his campaign.
"Neither Gyeonggi Province's potential nor my standing here today would have been possible without party members," Kim emphasized.
While noting certain achievements in provincial administration, he admitted he had not fully met party members' expectations.
Kim identified his mission as winning the party primary and reelection to contribute to a successful Lee Jae-myung government.
"I believe there is only one way to repay this debt," he wrote. "To pour everything I have into making President Lee Jae-myung successful."
He positioned himself as a "field worker," saying he wants to "firmly support the president who will lead Korea's great leap forward with my experience and capabilities."
"I have learned that politics is done with the heart, about winning people's minds, and about walking together with party members," Kim wrote, redefining politics through his relationship with party members.
"I have many regrets about what I could have done differently, but everything is mine to bear," he added, taking full responsibility for his political decisions.
Kim concluded by framing demands on himself as orders from party members: "Run with all your might for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government. Keep party members' hearts in mind and work once again."
"Give me, Kim Dong-yeon, that opportunity," he appealed.
