[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Independent candidate Min Byeong-du (Dongdaemun-gu Eul) has withdrawn and declared support for Jang Gyeong-tae, the Democratic Party candidate running in the same district. With Min's withdrawal, the Dongdaemun Eul election will be a two-way contest between Democratic Party candidate Jang Gyeong-tae and Future United Party candidate Lee Hye-hoon.
On the morning of the 10th, Min held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "When I initially declared my candidacy as a resident-recommended candidate, I said that second place has no meaning, and if it seemed that way, I would declare support for the Democratic Party candidate. Now, I am stepping down to keep that promise."
He added, "If I were to complete the race, I anticipate a close three-way contest, but I cannot throw myself into uncertainty," and "Through three weeks of campaigning, I have sufficiently appealed against unfair nominations, and I believe my honor has been restored among the residents."
Min said, "The past three weeks as a resident-recommended candidate were very happy," and "Thinking of the thousands of supporters who volunteered by organizing 'Minbyeongdae,' I was continuously moved to the extent that I wondered if I had ever received such love in my life."
He continued, "However, I could not ignore the invisible reality," and "As the approval ratings of the President and the Democratic Party rose, I realized that the walls faced by pro-government candidates were also getting higher."
He then said, "While actively participating in frontline politics, I gave the Democratic Party an identity as a party for Eul and passed numerous legislations for Eul," and "I will not stop my life as an innovation designer for the Republic of Korea in the future."
Earlier, the Democratic Party excluded three-term veteran Min, who was subject to a detailed review due to past 'Me Too' controversies, from nomination and designated Dongdaemun Eul as a youth-priority strategic district. In response, Min submitted his resignation from the party on the 19th of last month and has been campaigning as an independent candidate.
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