Jang Je-won "Heartbreaking but I will leave Yoon Seok-yeol's side"

Key Positions Including Secretary to the Candidate Chief Decline... Advice Given: "Let Yoon Seok-yeol Become the One Top and Exercise Full Authority"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 23rd, Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party, expressed his intention to leave the side of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. This is interpreted as his decision not to take roles such as chief secretary in the presidential campaign.

On the same day, Jang stated through social media (SNS), "There is controversy over my position," and added, "Today, I will leave Candidate Yoon's side."

He said, "I have never once sought a position by Yoon's side," and "When Candidate Yoon is elected president and enters the Blue House, I only thought of returning to Yeouido to support the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration as a senior lawmaker and focus on legislative activities."

Jang expressed his feelings, saying, "I only have gratitude and apologies toward Candidate Yoon," and "My heart aches for not being able to repay the deep trust and care given to me despite my many shortcomings."

He stated, "On Yoon Seok-yeol's stage, no figure other than Yoon Seok-yeol himself is anything more than a mere supporting role," and added, "It must never be a hindrance, an attempt to gain attention, or a matter of bargaining." Jang urged, "Candidate, freely appoint talents, become the one and only top, and exercise full authority."

As Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, appeared to delay accepting the position of overall head of the election committee, some analyses suggested this was a conflict surrounding Jang's appointment.

However, Kim officially expressed his refusal to join the campaign on the same day, saying, "I am now returning to my daily life," and added, "I no longer want to talk about political matters."

Meanwhile, Jang's urging for Candidate Yoon to "become the one and only top" is also interpreted as a message for the candidate to lead the election directly, instead of granting full authority to former Chairman Kim.