Son Hak-gyu Announces Quiet Exit in Fourth Presidential Election... "Still Must Pursue Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment"

Son Hak-gyu: "I Will Reflect and Live Quietly"

Former Bareunmirae Party Leader Sohn Hak-kyu / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu announced on the 27th that he will not run for president. Despite not gaining public attention even after declaring his presidential candidacy, Sohn announced a quiet exit, saying, "I will reflect and live quietly."

On the same day, Sohn stated through social media (SNS), "I am withdrawing my intention to run for president today," adding, "I was very lacking."

He expressed, "I deeply thank the citizens who supported me and the supporters who shared my intentions, and I apologize," and added, "I will reflect and live quietly."

Having declared his non-candidacy, Sohn emphasized the need for political reform, including constitutional amendment. He said, "The evils of the imperial presidency and two-party system must be overcome," and "For South Korea, now one of the world's top 10 economies, to leap to the G7 or G5 and become a center of new civilization, politics must also be advanced."

He appealed, "We must end divisive and confrontational politics and achieve national unity and political stability," adding, "Parliament-centered consensual democracy based on a multi-party coalition government is the way," and "A constitutional amendment to overcome the 1987 system and build the 7th Republic must be realized."