Ministers Park Young-sun, Jin Young, Kim Hyun-mi, and Yoo Eun-hae Announce Withdrawal from Election: "A Difficult Decision as Politicians"

On the 3rd, at the National Assembly, Yoo Eun-hye, Minister of Education and a current minister from the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, and Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, are entering the conference room to announce their decision not to run in the 21st general election. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Jeon Jinyoung] Three ministers from the Democratic Party of Korea held a press conference and officially announced their decision not to run in the election. At the press conference, the three ministers said, "It was not an easy decision," and added, "We will support the Moon Jae-in administration's cabinet." Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi was seen holding back tears.

Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups (4-term, Guro-gu Eul), Kim Hyun-mi (3-term, Gyeonggi Goyang Jeong), and Yoo Eun-hye, Minister of Education and Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs (2-term, Gyeonggi Goyang Byeong), held a press conference at the National Assembly on the morning of the 3rd to announce their decision not to run while still serving as ministers. Since the Ministry of the Interior and Safety supports the National Election Commission, Minister Jin-young Jinyoung (5-term, Seoul Yongsan), who had already declared his intention not to run, did not attend the press conference.

At the press conference, Minister Park Young-sun said, "I was barely elected in the 18th National Assembly election in 2008," and reflected, "If the residents of Guro Eul had not voted for me at that time, the truth about BBK might not have been revealed." She continued, "Now, as the Minister of SMEs and Startups, I will make this area, which has now become Guro Digital Complex, the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. I will make South Korea a leading country in the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

Minister Kim Hyun-mi, who had continuously expressed her intention to run in the general election, said, "Giving up my constituency as a politician was a very difficult decision," and added, "I thought that going together for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration was the important thing to do." She also said, "As a member of the Moon Jae-in administration's cabinet, above all, I believe the most important thing is to support a stable cabinet that shares President Moon Jae-in's governance philosophy."

She said, "Since 2010, Ilsan Seo-gu has never lost any election," and added, "Many projects that had been delayed or canceled for a long time have all been put back on track. Now, I will leave matters concerning the constituency to the party." Minister Kim Hyun-mi showed tears during this part of her remarks.

Minister Yoo Eun-hye, who also underwent qualification screening by the Public Official Election Candidate Verification Committee, said, "The faces of many people who have encouraged and supported me over the past 10 years came to mind first, so the decision was not easy." She said, "I will do my best to fulfill my duties to help President Moon for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration," and added, "As the first female Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education in the Moon Jae-in administration, I will do my best until my role is fulfilled." She also said, "Only the position I hold has changed; I am always a resident of Ilsan," and added, "I will do my best to do what I can for the future of Ilsan."

Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan said, "From the party's perspective, it is very regrettable that those likely to win the election have declared they will not run," and added, "However, I deeply accept and respect the decision of the four to step down for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration." He continued, "As party leader, I think this general election holds very important meaning in our history," and said, "Depending on the outcome of this election, I even think the fate of the country may change." He emphasized, "If we win this general election, the Moon Jae-in administration can successfully carry out reforms and the regime can be reestablished," and added, "We will do our best to win the general election."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.