Kim Yong-nam Claims 'I'm Number 1,' Cho Kuk Says 'I Will Win' as 'Battle for Pyeongtaek-eul' Intensifies
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Kim Yong-nam and Cho Kuk are engaged in a public rivalry for the Pyeongtaek-eul constituency in the upcoming by-election.
- Kim Yong-nam, citing poll results, claims he is the leading candidate and frames his campaign as a mandate for the Lee Jae-myung government's success.
- Cho Kuk, while open to party consolidation talks, emphasizes his commitment to proving his superior vision for South Korea and Pyeongtaek compared to Kim, and has demanded explanations for Kim's past political stances.
The upcoming June 3 by-election for the Pyeongtaek-eul constituency has become a focal point of intense political maneuvering, particularly between Kim Yong-nam, a former Democratic Party lawmaker, and Cho Kuk, the leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. Their public exchanges, often playing out on social media and in media appearances, reveal a fierce competition for voter support and a clear ideological clash.
The support that Pyeongtaek citizens are showing me now is not just personal support, but a desperate desire for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government and a stern yet sincere command to bring about Pyeongtaek's development.
Kim Yong-nam has strategically leveraged recent polling data, specifically from 'Yeonhwaso Kkot,' to position himself as the frontrunner. He interprets the public's support not just as a personal endorsement but as a broader mandate for the success of the current Lee Jae-myung administration and a call for Pyeongtaek's development. This framing aims to align his candidacy with national political aspirations, suggesting that his victory would signify a broader public endorsement of the ruling party's agenda.
I have an obligation to win against the Democratic Party candidate and prove that Cho Kuk is better for the development of Korea and Pyeongtaek than candidate Kim Yong-nam.
Cho Kuk, however, is not conceding any ground. While acknowledging the possibility of future discussions on party consolidation with the Democratic Party, he asserts his primary obligation is to demonstrate his superior qualifications and vision for both South Korea and Pyeongtaek over Kim Yong-nam. Cho has also directly challenged Kim on several past political positions, including his stances on the 2015 inter-Korean comfort women agreement, his criticism of the Special Committee for the Sewol Ferry Disaster, and his remarks on the Itaewon crowd crush. This counter-offensive aims to discredit Kim and highlight perceived inconsistencies or unpopular views, framing the election as a critical choice between competing political philosophies and leadership qualities.
If Kim Yong-nam brings up false information again regarding my honor, I will counterattack to protect my own honor.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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