'86 Group' Comrade Woo Sang-ho: "Song Young-gil's Declaration Not to Run in the General Election, a Difficult Decision"

"I also announced my withdrawal from last year's general election... I will keep my promise"
"It's time to focus on political innovation and livelihood reform in the remaining areas"

Woo Sang-ho, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, evaluated Song Young-gil, the party leader who declared he would not run in the next general election, saying, "Looking back on the past years, it must have been a difficult decision."

On the 25th, Woo wrote on his Facebook, "Today, Party Leader Song Young-gil announced that he will not run in the next general election," expressing this view.

He added, "I also declared last year that I would not run in the general election. I once again promise to keep this commitment to the people."

He said, "I hope excellent young talents will challenge the position we leave vacant. I will actively support them," and emphasized again, "To the people, we humbly reflect on our shortcomings. We will return to our original intentions. We will devote ourselves to political innovation and reform of people’s livelihoods in the places we remain."

Woo is a member of the so-called '86 Group' (those born in the 1960s who entered university in the 1980s) within the Democratic Party, along with Song Young-gil and former Presidential Secretary Im Jong-seok. They have emerged as a core group within the party, being appointed as key figures not only in the Democratic Party leadership but also in the Blue House.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, is holding an emergency press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 25th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Woo declared his candidacy for the April 7th Seoul mayoral by-election last year, expressing his determination to not run in the next general election and to put everything on the line.

At that time, he held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "Running for Seoul mayor is my last political challenge," and emphasized, "I will not use this as a stepping stone for the next position."

Meanwhile, on the 25th, Party Leader Song Young-gil made a sudden announcement that he would not run in the general election. At the press conference that day, he said, "The Democratic Party’s reflection, change, and reform have been insufficient to cover the anger, disappointment, and wounds of the people," and added, "As seniors, it is now time for us to step into the wilderness again."

He continued, "We must relinquish the vested interests of our own constituencies and make room for young politicians to challenge and advance."

He emphasized, "The new historical mission before us is the election of candidate Lee Jae-myung," and said, "Lee Jae-myung must become president for South Korea to move forward properly. I will personally give up all vested interests and become the catalyst for the birth of the 'Lee Jae-myung government.'"