Former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Doo-kwan on Sunday announced his intent to run in the presidential primary of the main opposition Democratic United Party.

One of the closest allies of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, Kim resigned from the post on Friday.

In a press conference at Ttangkkeut Village in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, he claimed himself to be the only one to unite the opposition forces and match frontrunner Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party.

“This year’s presidential election will be a contest between Kim Doo-kwan who would serve the people and Park Geun-hye who would reign over the people,” he said.

“I am the only person within the opposition camp who may reform the country and live up to the peoples’ expectations,” Kim said.

He became the sixth professed candidate of the DUP, alongside former presidential aide Rep. Moon Jae-in and former party chiefs Sohn Hak-kyu and Rep. Chung Sye-kyun.

Kim and Moon are considered the most powerful in the opposition ranks along with professor Ahn Cheol-soo who is still undecided over whether to join the December presidential election.

Kim, former home affairs minister, is often dubbed “little Roh Moo-hyun” due to his commitment to the late leader’s policies on economic fairness, balanced regional development and peaceful relations with North Korea.

“Korea has so far endured economic and social imbalance for the sake of growth and efficiency,” he said.

“Now is the time to put an end to the monopoly by the privileged class and share the outcomes.”

He also pledged to build more inter-Korean industrial complexes, such as the one in Gaeseong, and promote economic cooperation with Pyongyang.

The DUP is to hold preliminary rounds of elections on July 29-30 and then a final primary among the top five candidates in September, according to officials.

Senior party advisor Chung Dong-young and South Jeolla Province Governor Park Joon-young are also expected to join the race.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)