(LEAD) Ruling party nominates former liberal PM unopposed for Daegu mayor | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS comments in last 2 paras) SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Friday picked former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum as its sole candidate for Daegu mayor, a traditional conservative stronghold, in the upcoming June 3 local elections. The DP's nomination committee announced that it unanimously chose Kim as the candidate as the party seeks to gain an upper hand in the local elections by fielding one of its heavyweights in the city long regarded as an unwavering stronghold for the conservative bloc. "Kim is one of the candidates who symbolizes the DP's longstanding efforts to overcome regionalism," Kim Yi-soo, the committee's chairperson, said. "We believe his experiences as a four-term lawmaker, the interior minister and the prime minister make him fully qualified to lead the city," he added. Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who declared his bid for the Daegu mayoral race in the upcoming June 3 local elections, raises his fist during a nomination interview at the ruling Democratic Party headquarters in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) julesyi@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #ex-PM #mayoral bid Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S. Korea N.K. leader inspects service facilities at new housing area prev (LEAD) Ruling party nominates former liberal PM unopposed for Daegu mayor Next (LEAD) Ruling party nominates former liberal PM unopposed for Daegu mayor

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(ATTN: ADDS comments in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Friday picked former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum as its sole candidate for Daegu mayor, a traditional conservative stronghold, in the upcoming June 3 local elections.
The DP's nomination committee announced that it unanimously chose Kim as the candidate as the party seeks to gain an upper hand in the local elections by fielding one of its heavyweights in the city long regarded as an unwavering stronghold for the conservative bloc.
"Kim is one of the candidates who symbolizes the DP's longstanding efforts to overcome regionalism," Kim Yi-soo, the committee's chairperson, said.
"We believe his experiences as a four-term lawmaker, the interior minister and the prime minister make him fully qualified to lead the city," he added.
Kim Boo-kyum served as prime minister from 2021 to 2022 under former liberal President Moon Jae-in. Kim has also served as interior minister.
Kim, a native of Sangju, neighboring Daegu, unsuccessfully ran for the Daegu mayoralty in 2014 and later won a parliamentary seat in a key Daegu district in 2016.
Speaking to reporters after a nomination interview earlier in the day, Kim vowed to listen to the voices of the citizens of Daegu if the DP's stance clashes with the public sentiment of the local residents.
"We cannot unconditionally follow the party's stance," he said.
Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who declared his bid for the Daegu mayoral race in the upcoming June 3 local elections, raises his fist during a nomination interview at the ruling Democratic Party headquarters in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who declared his bid for the Daegu mayoral race in the upcoming June 3 local elections, raises his fist during a nomination interview at the ruling Democratic Party headquarters in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) julesyi@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #ex-PM #mayoral bid Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- The DP's nomination committee announced that it unanimously chose Kim as the candidate as the party seeks to gain an upper hand in the local elections by fielding one of its heavyweights in the city long regarded as an unwavering stronghold for the conservative bloc. "Kim is one of the candidates who symbolizes the DP's longstanding efforts to overcome regionalism," Kim Yi-soo, the committee's chairperson, said. "We believe his experiences as a four-term lawmaker, the interior minister and the prime minister make him fully qualified to lead the city," he added.
- Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who declared his bid for the Daegu mayoral race in the upcoming June 3 local elections, raises his fist during a nomination interview at the ruling Democratic Party headquarters in Seoul on April 3, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) julesyi@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #ex-PM #mayoral bid Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold (LEAD) S.
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### Expert Commentary
This article covers lead, kim, minister topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 537.