Kim Han-jeong, a preliminary candidate in the Democratic Party’s Namyangju mayoral primary, on April 21 proposed an urgent meeting with rival preliminary candidate Choi Hyeon-deok, calling for a “one-team” primary.
Speaking at an emergency news conference at his campaign office, Kim said the primary should not be a contest over “who attacks more harshly,” but a choice of “who can change Namyangju.” He said candidates should face citizens and party members with mutual respect and a contest of policies.
Kim called on Choi to agree to principles of ending negative campaigning, showing mutual respect and focusing on policy, and to run a clean primary.
Kim also addressed recent attacks against him. He said an “unfair smear frame” he experienced during the nomination process two years ago was being repeated in this primary, adding that it had gone beyond political criticism to the level of damaging a person’s life and reputation.
He rejected claims that he was not present at an anti-martial law rally, saying that was not true. Kim said he was overseas at the time but continued efforts to publicize the unfairness of martial law to U.S. political circles, media and think tanks.
Kim said he was imprisoned while fighting military dictatorship as a university student and has never left the Democratic Party since joining in 1988. He also said he was the first sitting lawmaker to declare support when Lee Jae-myung sought the Gyeonggi governor’s post.
Kim laid out a development vision for Namyangju, saying concerns are growing that while new towns are expanding, older downtown areas are stagnating. He pledged balanced growth so that Wangsuk New Town and existing areas — Jinjeop, Onam, Byeollae, Hwado, Sudong, Pyeongnae and Hopyeong — can develop together.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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