Kim Dong-yeon, a candidate in the Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeonggi Province governor primary, made a last-minute appeal for support on Wednesday as results were set to be announced, positioning himself as the most qualified person to resolve the economic crisis.
Kim held a press conference at the Marathon Building in Suwon on the morning of the 7th. "This is an 'economic wartime situation,'" he said. "As the central government is responding to the crisis with swift supplementary budget measures, Gyeonggi Province must also become the strongest economic support force."
Kim characterized the current economic situation as a grave crisis and emphasized the role Gyeonggi Province must play.
"President Lee Jae-myung and the government are doing everything they can to turn the crisis into an opportunity," he said. "Gyeonggi Province must play a central role in overcoming this crisis." He added, "What Gyeonggi Province needs right now is an 'economic commander' who can break through the crisis head-on."
While expressing agreement with rival candidate Chu Mi-ae's call for a "crisis-breaking governor," Kim stressed that "the person needed now is someone with direct experience resolving economic crises," highlighting his own career in economic affairs.
Kim explained that he participated in overcoming the IMF foreign exchange crisis as a presidential secretary at the Blue House during the Kim Dae-jung administration, and was involved in formulating "Vision 2030," the national long-term development strategy, under the Roh Moo-hyun administration. He also emphasized that as the first Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs under the Moon Jae-in administration, he contributed to restoring the economic growth rate to 3% and achieving per capita national income of $30,000.
"When the Yoon Suk-yeol government's livelihood economic policies went in reverse, I pushed them back on course," he said, underscoring his policy differences with the current government. He added, "As a proven economic worker, I will share the burden of President Lee Jae-myung, who is confronting the economic crisis."
Kim also stressed that he should be evaluated on his practical experience and achievements rather than political rhetoric. "I have worked with experience and capability rather than Yeouido-style politicking or fancy words," he said. "I will pour everything into overcoming the current crisis."
Noting that it was the final voting day of the primary, he intensified his appeal to party members.
"Think once more about the economy, once more about people's livelihoods, and once more about the success of the Lee Jae-myung government," he said. "Please judge once again who is the prepared candidate."
In closing, he said, "Political operatives should do their work in Yeouido, and economic operatives should do their work in Gyeonggi Province," urging, "Give the opportunity to me, the 'economic 119,' to overcome this crisis."