Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum was confirmed as the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Daegu mayor. The Democratic Party of Korea held interviews at its Yeouido headquarters on the morning of the 3rd to nominate a Daegu mayoral candidate, then confirmed the former prime minister as its candidate.
Before the interview, the former prime minister met with reporters and said, "It's been a long time since I have taken a test like this as part of the party's official procedures," adding, "I will present my firm resolve before the interviewers today."
Regarding a courtesy call on former President Park Geun-hye that day, the former prime minister said, "I plan to pay respects to senior former figures and former mayors in the Daegu area, and since the former president is also a senior national figure and an elder of the local community, I believe it is proper to pay a visit as a greeting."
However, "as political procedures are underway at present, it is difficult to make a request that could cause misunderstandings," adding, "I plan to request a visit after all procedures are completed."
At the interview venue, the former prime minister also offered an assessment of the regional economy. In response to a question from Democratic Party of Korea Nomination Management Committee Chairperson Kim I-su about Daegu's economic situation, the former prime minister said, "Including the livelihood economy, Daegu has declined significantly, and the pace is fast," and diagnosed, "Future growth engines, especially jobs for young people, are sorely lacking." The former prime minister then emphasized, "For now, government resolve and fiscal input are needed."
Asked how to develop Daegu, the former prime minister said, "We need an industrial upgrade through the AI great transition promised when Lee Jae-myung was a presidential candidate," adding, "To achieve this, a clear vision and government resolve must back it up."
The former prime minister also stated a position on key regional infrastructure issues. The former prime minister said, "The transfer of the Daegu K-2 Air Base has been elevated from a simple military airport relocation to essential infrastructure to rebuild the regional industry," explaining, "It is indispensable social overhead capital for improving logistics and advancing the machinery and robotics industries overseas in connection with the Gumi Industrial Complex." The former prime minister added, "The government should not leave this to Daegu City alone but should demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to support it from the perspective of balanced national development."
That day, immediately after the interview review, the Democratic Party of Korea confirmed the former prime minister as its Daegu mayoral candidate. Committee Chairperson Kim said, "The central party's nomination committee unanimously selected candidate Kim Boo-kyum as the Daegu metropolitan mayoral candidate."
Kim added, "We judged that experience as a four-term National Assembly member, Minister of the Interior and Safety, and prime minister leaves nothing lacking to lead Daegu," and said, "We earnestly ask for encouragement from Daegu citizens and the public for candidate Kim Boo-kyum, who is taking on the challenge of overcoming regionalism as if by fate."