Dem Party Daegu Chair: Ex-PM Kim Boo-kyum to Announce Mayoral Run on March 25 or 30

Heo So, Chairman of the Democratic Party's Daegu City Chapter, has indicated that former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is expected to announce his candidacy for Daegu mayor around March 25 or 30. On the 18th, Chairman Heo stated that the recruitment of former PM Kim was 'over the 80% mark,' suggesting that news regarding the candidacy could be delivered to citizens as early as March. With former PM Kim's Daegu mayoral bid gaining momentum, the possibility of changes to Daegu's political landscape, traditionally a conservative stronghold, is being raised.

The former prime minister, currently residing in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, is preparing to transfer his address to Daegu. Under the Public Official Election Act, residency must be established in the electoral district at least 60 days before an election to secure eligibility. Therefore, the address transfer must be completed by April 3rd or 5th at the latest. Local political circles anticipate that the former prime minister is highly likely to move his address to his father's former residence in Daegu.

The Democratic Party views former PM Kim's potential candidacy for Daegu mayor not merely as a candidate's entry but as a 'signal of change in Daegu's public sentiment.' Chairman Heo highlighted the conflicts within the People Power Party's nomination process and the alienation of Daegu citizens, emphasizing that the former prime minister's entry could seize an opportunity to transform the region's political soil.

Former PM Kim has prior experience being elected to the National Assembly in Suseong-gap, a traditionally conservative constituency in Daegu. He also possesses extensive administrative experience, having served as Minister of the Interior and Safety and as Prime Minister, overseeing national affairs. In the 2014 Daegu mayoral election, he lost to incumbent candidate Kwon Young-jin, securing 40.33% of the vote.

Currently, a total of nine individuals, including lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Yoon Jae-ok, Choo Kyung-ho, Yoo Young-ha, and Choi Eun-seok, have applied for the People Power Party's nomination for the Daegu mayoral election. However, should former PM Kim's candidacy materialize, forecasts suggest that the election landscape could be significantly shaken, especially in conjunction with the People Power Party's internal nomination conflicts. Local political commentators analyze that the former prime minister's entry itself could become the biggest variable and a surprise upset in this election.