Kim Boo-kyum declares Daegu mayoral bid, calls for break with PPP

Kim Boo-kyum, former prime minister, speaks during a press conference announcing his bid for Daegu mayor at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Newsis

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced Monday that he will run for mayor of Daegu in the June 3 local elections, urging voters in the conservative stronghold to rethink their long-standing political alignment.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Kim said, “I have decided to once again challenge the Daegu mayoral race,” framing his candidacy as part of a wider effort to address regional imbalance and political stagnation.

“Overcoming regionalism and achieving balanced national development is my final political mission,” he said.

Kim said he had been urged to run since last fall but initially hesitated. “I felt it would be shameful to avoid this responsibility,” he said. “In the end, the responsibility I must bear lies with Daegu.”

He also sharply criticized the People Power Party (PPP), which has long dominated politics in the city.

“Daegu has effectively been controlled by a single party, and that has led to a lack of competition,” Kim said. “In a system where party nominations all but ensure victory, politicians have little incentive to perform.”

He then called on voters to act.

“For the sake of conservatism itself, it is time to take corrective action,” he said. “Daegu must take the lead in breaking away from the PPP. Only then can true conservatism survive.”

Kim also drew attention to the city’s deepening crisis, particularly the decline in population and lack of jobs.

“When I was growing up, Daegu was a source of pride,” he said. “Now our children are leaving in search of work, and the city is gradually losing its vitality.”

Recalling his earlier political challenge in the region, Kim said the stakes are now even higher.

“Fifteen years ago, I sought to overcome the barrier of regionalism,” he said. “Today, I am trying to overcome an even greater wall — the threat of regional extinction.”

He emphasized that his bid is not just about winning office but about redefining the city’s future.

“I want to work with the people of Daegu to restore hope and rebuild its future,” he said.

In a separate event later in the day at the 2.28 Memorial Central Park in Daegu, Kim reiterated his message, saying he would “serve the people of Daegu as their true representatives” and devote himself fully to the city.

Born in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, Kim graduated from Kyeongbuk High School and Seoul National University. After serving three terms as a lawmaker in the Seoul metropolitan area, he moved his political base to Daegu in an effort to challenge entrenched regional voting patterns.

He later served as minister of the interior and safety and prime minister under the liberal Moon Jae-in administration.