"Will Become a Stepping Stone for the Success of the Yoon Administration"
Former lawmaker Ji Sang-wook, who serves as the chairman of the People Power Party’s Jung-gu and Seongdong-gu Eul district party committee, has announced that he will not run in the 22nd general election.
On the 15th, Ji issued a statement saying, "For the People Power Party’s victory in the general election and the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, I have decided not to run in the 22nd general election," adding, "I will serve quietly without hesitation in any role to become a catalyst for our party’s victory and the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol government."
Former lawmaker Jisanguk, who declared he would not run in the 22nd general election [Photo by Yonhap News]
He said, "This general election is a battle for the metropolitan area. The Jung-gu and Seongdong-gu Eul districts of Seoul, where I have been active, are the core areas of Seoul, the center of the metropolitan area, and must be won without fail," adding, "Therefore, a more outstanding and fresh talent, suitable for the demands of the times, must step forward to create momentum. That is why I am stepping down." He continued, "In the 121 metropolitan area constituencies, including 49 in Seoul, 59 in Gyeonggi, and 13 in Incheon, one hundred warriors must voluntarily step forward, and the party must ensure winning nominations," urging the party.
Finally, he expressed his gratitude, saying, "I deeply bow my head and thank the residents of Jung-gu and Seongdong-gu and party comrades who have supported and watched over my shortcomings for the past 10 years."
Ji’s announcement of not running is the second among People Power Party’s metropolitan area non-incumbent district party chairpersons. Earlier last month, Jin Soo-hee, chairman of the Seoul Jung-gu and Seongdong-gu Gap district party committee, also announced her intention not to run in the general election.
Ji entered politics after being recruited by former Grand National Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) chairman Lee Hoi-chang, whom he met while staying in the United States in 2003. He served as Lee Hoi-chang’s public relations special advisor during the 2007 presidential election and later served as spokesperson for the Liberty Forward Party. After the Liberty Forward Party was absorbed and merged into the Saenuri Party (now People Power Party), he ran for and won the Seoul Jung-gu and Seongdong-gu seat in the 20th general election but lost to Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sung-joon in the 21st general election. Subsequently, Ji served as head of the People Power Party’s think tank, the Yeouido Institute, contributing to the victories in the 2021 Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections and the 2022 presidential election.
Ji is also well known as the husband of actress Shim Eun-ha. He married Shim in 2005, and they have two daughters. Shim, who was a top star of her time, abruptly retired from the entertainment industry in 2001 and ceased all activities.
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