'Pro-Park Core' Jeong Gap-yoon Declares Withdrawal from Election... "Fixing the Country Falling Apart Due to Elections"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jeong Gap-yoon, a five-term lawmaker and a key figure classified as 'Pro-Park' within the Liberty Korea Party, announced on the 17th that "this general election is a crucial election to protect a free Republic of Korea and to correct a country that is falling apart," declaring he will not run for re-election.

At a press conference held that day, Jeong stated, "As a five-term member of the National Assembly, I have devoted myself entirely to the Republic of Korea, the people, and Ulsan," adding, "I have also taken responsibility and made sacrifices whenever and wherever necessary for the party."

He emphasized, "In early 2017, when the party was in a desperate crisis, I showed a spirit of putting the party before myself by resigning as chairman of the National Committee and even showing determination to leave the party to resolve conflicts within the emergency committee system," and "During last year's fast-track political turmoil, as a senior member, I did not just stand by but fought with my whole body, becoming the only one indicted without detention."

Jeong said, "My decision not to run at this moment is also a way to repay the party with a spirit of putting the party before myself," and added, "If the Moon Jae-in administration continues on its path, the people will all perish. It must be corrected."

He stated, "I choose the Republic of Korea over myself. I will burn myself to worry about the country. Please judge the Moon administration," and "Your vote can correct the Moon administration's wrong policies. I will serve with loyalty toward that mission."

Right after the press conference, when asked by reporters whether he would transfer his party affiliation to the Future Korea Party, Jeong emphasized, "There is no such thing," and "I will cleanly let go." He also appealed, "When I visit the region, there are talks that if indicted for violating the National Assembly's advanced law, one cannot run or will be disqualified from election, which is burdensome. I am doing this with the spirit of an independence activist saving the country, but when it becomes an election battlefield, it is being exploited."

Jeong said, "The Corruption Investigation Office Act and the Election Act are really unacceptable," and "The ruling party should not do this, and whoever takes power in the future should not do this either. This is the reason for my decision not to run today," emphasizing. Regarding his decision not to run, he stated, "I did not receive any contact. There was no coercion from anyone."