Kim Moon-soo's Provincial Administration is Amateurish Driving… Just Political Winds

Park Ki-choon, chairman of the Democratic Party's Gyeonggi Province chapter, said on the 30th regarding Governor Kim Moon-soo's provincial administration over the past three years, "Due to lack of administrative experience, he has not escaped the frame of an amateur beginner driver."

Park made these remarks during a press briefing with reporters covering the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, saying, "His enthusiasm ran ahead, but his abilities could not keep up."

He pointed out, "First, if consensus is not formed among civil servants that things are going well, it is difficult for a leader to work," adding, "A person who cannot sweep his own yard cannot sweep someone else's yard."

Particularly, he said, "(Governor Kim) came up from Gyeongsang Province and was someone who worked in a single electoral district in Bucheon. Now that he is just becoming accustomed to provincial administration and learning, political winds are being injected into the process, so it is not translating into actual administration," he emphasized.

He added, "Provincial residents want a true governor who can upgrade the province's administration by one or two steps."

Regarding next year's gubernatorial election, he said, "The only thing Democratic Party candidates are behind Governor Kim in is name recognition," claiming, "We are ahead in job capability, understanding of the province, administrative experience, and organizational strength."

As an alternative to overcome name recognition issues, he said, "Even if there are aftereffects, we must conduct a meaningful primary election," adding, "It is necessary for multiple candidates to come forward and increase competitiveness in the general election."

Regarding whether he would run in the gubernatorial primary, he said, "Every politician has dreams," and while acknowledging it is premature to mention at this time, he stated, "I believe my understanding of the province and public service experience are not inferior compared to Governor Kim," clearly demonstrating his determination to challenge.

Regarding administrative system reorganization, he said, "It is important to reduce the 16 metropolitan cities and provinces to 8 to 9 by combining Gyeonggi Province and Incheon Metropolitan City, and to induce municipal and county integration through incentives, proceeding sequentially from places where consensus is reached rather than through wholesale restructuring."

Regarding the Pyeongtaek Ssangyong Motor issue, Park said, "As the public wishes for a peaceful resolution, the government must not forget the Yongsan incident," adding, "The management must recognize that providing water and food to the union on humanitarian grounds is necessary, and that mass layoffs are not the only solution."

Regarding the passage of the media law, he said, "There are concerns that large newspaper companies aiming to expand local market share will indiscriminately acquire smaller regional newspapers," arguing, "An evil law that eliminates regional newspapers and broadcasters representing local interests must be repealed."

He said, "The key for the Democratic Party to end outdoor protests and enter the National Assembly is held by the ruling Grand National Party, which is responsible for state affairs," urging, "The ruling and opposition parties must play a responsible role by making concessions and reaching agreements."

Park stated, "As seen in this incident, it is important that the people elect leaders with balance for politics to function," and concluded, "The Democratic Party will respond to public demands through talented individuals and policies that can serve and dedicate themselves, not as a mere counterbalance to the Grand National Party."