Kim Kwan-young, Former North Jeolla Governor, to Run Independently: 'Seeking Residents' Judgment, Not Party Nomination'

In a significant political move, Kim Kwan-young, the current governor of North Jeolla Province, has declared his candidacy for the upcoming provincial governor election as an independent. Speaking at a press conference, Kim emphasized his desire to be judged by the residents of North Jeolla, rather than by the nomination process of the Democratic Party. This decision signals a clear break from the party, despite his past alignment with its values.

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I will receive the judgment of the provincial residents, not the Democratic Party's nomination.

Kim expressed his belief in the Democratic Party's principles of fairness and justice but questioned the fairness of the recent nomination process and whether the will of the provincial residents was adequately reflected. He stated that his decision was not to leave the party out of anger or resentment, but to re-establish the principles of fairness and order within North Jeolla Province, a path he intends to demonstrate through the choice of the provincial residents.

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I have always believed in the values of fairness and justice that the Democratic Party has upheld, and I believed that the Democratic Party respects the values of local autonomy and decentralization. However, was this nomination process fair? Was the will of the residents of North Jeolla Province sufficiently reflected?

This independent run comes after Kim's expulsion from the Democratic Party on April 1st, following an incident in November where he paid approximately 1 million won for proxy driver fees for young party members. Kim apologized for the incident, describing it as his own oversight and expressing regret for causing distress to the residents. He highlighted his achievements during his four-year term, including securing North Jeolla as a candidate city for the 2036 Summer Olympics and attracting significant investment, vowing to create a future where young people choose to stay and work in the province.

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I will not remain angry. I will not speak of unfairness, nor will I lead with resentment. I am not leaving the Democratic Party to take this path; it is to re-establish the fairness and principles that the Democratic Party has upheld in North Jeolla. I will definitely show that path through the choice of the residents of North Jeolla.