2 ex-Gyeonggi governors vie for presidency

Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, gets out of a vehicle to attend a campaign rally in Seoul's northeastern Gangbuk District, Monday. Yonhap

The two major contenders in Tuesday's presidential election — liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung and conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo — have more in common than one might expect, especially in terms of their executive experience.

Lee, representing the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and Kim, the candidate of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), have both served as governors of Gyeonggi Province, the country’s most populous area which surrounds Seoul.

Kim held the post from 2006 to 2014, while Lee governed the province from 2018 to 2021.

During his tenure, Kim laid the groundwork for the province's transportation and industrial development, spearheading major projects such as the planning of the Great Train Express (GTX) high-speed rail lines, the creation of major redevelopment projects in Suwon's Gwanggyo and Seongnam's Pangyo and the successful bid to attract Samsung’s semiconductor plant to Pyeongtaek.

As governor, Lee focused on resident-centered governance and welfare programs. He launched a basic income initiative that provided cash support to all residents using local currency and expanded digital public services with easy-to-use mobile applications.

Another similarity between them is their legislative experience, although Kim has served longer in the National Assembly.

The conservative contender served three terms in the National Assembly from 1996 to 2004, representing Sosa District in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. During his time in the Assembly, he became a prominent figure in the conservative bloc as a member of the Grand National Party and its successor, the Saenuri Party — predecessors of today’s PPP.

Lee is a relative newcomer to parliamentary politics. He won his first Assembly seat in 2022, representing Gyeyang District in Incheon. Despite his brief tenure, he quickly rose to prominence within the DPK and has served as the party’s chairman for two consecutive two-year terms, starting in 2022.

Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the conservative People Power Party, speaks during a campaign rally on Jeju Island, Monday. Yonhap

Where the two candidates differ is in their experience in the central government. Kim previously held a Cabinet post while Lee’s career has been rooted in municipal politics.

Before becoming governor, Lee served two terms as mayor of Seongnam from 2010 to 2018. He built a reputation for administrative efficiency and bold policy moves, although his legacy as mayor has been marred by his alleged involvement in a high-profile land development scandal in the region.

Kim, meanwhile, served as labor minister in the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration from August 2024 until his resignation in April to enter the presidential race.

But this ministerial post appears to offer limited political advantage for Kim. His short tenure concluded with few policy achievements, while controversy lingered over his hardline political views and perceived anti-labor stance. Plus, his close association with Yoon — who was impeached over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration — has also become a liability for his campaign.

Meanwhile, the DPK candidate has more experience on the campaign trail compared to his rival, as this marks his third presidential bid.

His first attempt came during the DPK’s primary in 2017, while he was mayor of Seongnam. He gained significant attention with his often fiery rhetoric and policy-driven campaign, but ultimately lost the primary to Moon Jae-in, who went on to win the presidency.

Lee made his second run in the 2022 election, when he was Gyeonggi governor. He secured the DPK's nomination but ended up narrowly losing to Yoon.

Kim is making his first official presidential bid this year, despite his long political career. Although well-known in conservative circles, he has not been part of the PPP mainstream in recent years, making his rise to the presidential candidacy a surprise even to some within his own party.