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Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), campaigns alongside former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon during a rally at Banghak Intersection in Dobong District, Seoul, on May 26. / Source: Yonhap News

Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate for the ruling People Power Party (PPP), ramped up his campaign in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on May 26, appealing to swing voters in the capital region with promises of deregulation, improved transportation, and educational reform—while sharpening his criticism of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung.

Speaking at a rally in Banghak Intersection, Dobong District, Kim vowed to halve redevelopment and reconstruction approval times by slashing unnecessary bureaucratic steps. “We will boldly delegate the central government’s authority downward,” he said. “Each district office can handle permitting, but the Seoul Metropolitan Government repeats the process, doubling the timeline.”

Kim added, “With today’s digitalized and professional administration, there’s no reason for delays. We will deliver faster, more tailored redevelopment for residents.”

On transportation and education, Kim promised to extend the GTX high-speed rail network to northern Seoul districts like Nowon and Dobong. He also pledged to expand “Neulbom Schools”—public after-school care programs—to ensure children can study safely and effectively without private tutoring.

Calling for the defense of democracy, Kim urged voters to “gather clean votes to block dictatorship and achieve true democracy.”

In a show of unity, Kim held his first joint campaign event with former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon. “Let’s stop Lee Jae-myung’s world together,” Han declared. “He isn’t dangerous because he’s evil, but because he’s incompetent. He floated a bill that would make [controversial broadcaster] Kim Eo-jun a Supreme Court justice, but retracted it today after public backlash.” Han credited public pressure for the withdrawal and added, “If we fight with just cause, we can beat Lee.”

Han emphasized the importance of persuading moderate voters, stating, “They will determine the outcome of this election. We need to make sure they choose Kim.”

Earlier in the day, Kim held a rally at Po-eun Art Gallery Plaza in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. He pledged strong support for building a world-class semiconductor hub centered on Samsung and SK Hynix. “We’ll make sure the area grows into a global leader,” he said.

Kim also spoke out against corruption, saying, “When civil servants are corrupt, people suffer, the economy falters, and businesses leave. No one wants to operate in a country where they’re expected to pay bribes or under-the-table money.” He emphasized that during his time as Gyeonggi governor, “From my fifth year in office onward, we ranked first in integrity. We made Gyeonggi cleaner.”

He sharply criticized Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party, particularly over attempts to summon the Chief Justice for a parliamentary hearing. “Have you ever seen lawmakers try to humiliate judges and threaten them with impeachment just because they ruled against them?”

On the party’s push for prosecutorial reform, Kim said, “It’s like a thief shutting down the police and the courts. If criminals get to silence prosecutors, judges, and the Chief Justice, Korea will become a lawless land. We’re at a crossroads: will we become a country of chaos or one of integrity and order?”