Daegu: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) has nominated former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum as its sole candidate for the Daegu mayoral race in the upcoming June 3 local elections. The decision was made by the party on Friday, aiming to make inroads into Daegu, a traditional conservative bastion.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the DP's nomination committee unanimously selected Kim, viewing his candidacy as a strategic move to challenge the conservative dominance in the city. Kim Yi-soo, the committee's chairperson, emphasized that Kim Boo-kyum represents the DP's continuous efforts to bridge regional divides.

"We believe his experiences as a four-term lawmaker, the interior minister, and the prime minister make him fully qualified to lead the city," Kim Yi-soo stated. Kim Boo-kyum has a notable political background, having served as prime minister from 2021 to 2022 under former liberal President Moon Jae-in. Additionally, he has held the position of interior minister.

Kim Boo-kyum, originally from Sangju near Daegu, previously ran for the Daegu mayoralty in 2014 but was unsuccessful. However, he secured a parliamentary seat in a significant Daegu district in 2016. Following his nomination interview, Kim expressed his commitment to prioritizing the voices of Daegu's citizens over party lines if necessary.

"We cannot unconditionally follow the party's stance," Kim remarked, indicating his willingness to align with local public sentiment if it diverges from the DP's position.