Kim Dong-yeon, the Gyeonggi Province governor who declared his candidacy in the 21st presidential election, said on the 15th, "An election is an election, and the economy is the economy," urging, "Given the difficult economy and livelihoods, at least 30 trillion or 50 trillion won in supplementary budgets must be managed by the political sphere and government."
The governor submitted the registration documents for preliminary candidates to participate in the presidential primary at the reception desk set up at the Democratic Party of Korea's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that afternoon.
After submitting his registration, the governor met with reporters and noted, "It's not 'Eo-daemyeong' (the president will inevitably be Lee Jae-myung), but 'Eo-daeguk' (the president will inevitably be chosen by the people)." He added, "I have no faction or organization, but the people who are worried about the country and the economy are my faction and organization."
The governor particularly emphasized economic and global issues as well as national unity, stating, "I will become a proud and honest economic president."
The governor mentioned economic issues and the supplementary budget, stating, "The economy does not wait for politics. An election is an election, and the economy is the economy," and urged, "Currently, discussions about a 12 trillion won supplementary budget are arising, but considering the difficult economy and livelihoods, at least 30 trillion or 50 trillion won in supplementary budgets must be managed by the political sphere and government."
He also said, "I have a different opinion regarding the tax cut issue," and noted, "I am critical of the populism and the popularity-driven tax cut competition taking place in the political sphere in light of the approaching election schedule."
He continued, "While there are areas where tax cuts are needed, it is extremely wrong for the overall direction of our finances to shift towards a tax cut competition in the political sphere."
The governor had also criticized former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's tax cut pledge when he recently declared his presidential candidacy.
Concerning political integration, he remarked, "I will pursue a politics of integration that encompasses diverse political forces and civic organizations, but I will draw the line with those who opposed impeachment."
Meanwhile, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung also registered as candidates for the Democratic Party primary on that day.