Paju Mayor Kim Kyung-il will compete in the Democratic Party of Korea's second-round primary for the Paju mayoral candidacy while maintaining his current position without registering as a preliminary candidate.
Kim announced on his social media on the 13th that "protecting citizens' lives comes first," stating his intention to prepare for the main primary without registering as a preliminary candidate. He emphasized that "even if there are some disadvantages in campaigning, taking responsibility for citizens' livelihoods is the duty of a mayor."
Declaring Quasi-Wartime Conditions, Activating Emergency Economic Response
Mayor Kim characterized the current regional economic situation as "quasi-wartime conditions." He assessed that economic anxiety affecting citizens' livelihoods is growing due to external variables including conflicts in the Middle East.
"The unexpected war in the Middle East is shaking citizens' lives from the ground up," Kim said from his office that morning. "If the Paju mayor leaves his post now, all the damage will inevitably fall on Paju citizens."
Paju City is currently operating an emergency economic response system including emergency price stabilization measures. The city explained that pressing issues directly affecting citizens' daily lives are piling up, including garbage bag prices, agricultural material costs, and rising fuel prices.
"We must either defuse the time bomb or reduce its explosive power," Kim said. "After much deliberation, I concluded that there is no other way but to trust our citizens."
Won First Round, Faces Former City Councilor Son Bae-chan in Runoff
Mayor Kim is the only incumbent Democratic Party mayor in the northern Gyeonggi region. He advanced to the second-round runoff after defeating rival candidates in the first round.
On the 12th, he posted on social media: "With the support and encouragement of Paju citizens over the past four years, I was able to move forward without stopping, looking only at citizens and only at their livelihoods. I will humbly enter the runoff with a firm commitment toward a Paju where my life gets better, toward a self-sufficient city of one million."
The Democratic Party's second-round primary for the Paju mayoral candidate will be held on the 18th and 19th. The candidate will be determined by combining 50% party member votes and 50% general public polling. Kim will face former Paju City Councilor Son Bae-chan.
