Kim Sung-tae Withdraws Candidacy "Healing Daughter's Wounds, Duty as a Father"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Sung-tae, a member of the Liberty Korea Party and former floor leader, has announced that he will not run for re-election.

On the 15th, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly Press Center and stated, "As of today, I have decided to lay down my arduous political journey and serve as a 'white-clad soldier' for the victory of our party and the conservative right in the 21st general election."

He continued, "As someone who bears the 'original sin' of bringing in the Moon Jae-in administration, I am now firmly resolved to dedicate myself willingly for the grand unity of the free right-wing. At this critical moment, I want to become a single grain of wheat for the revival and victory of conservatism," he emphasized.

"I earnestly request Chairman Kim Hyung-oh of the nomination committee and the committee members to create reformist nominations and nominations that will surely win. I also ask for 'generous reconciliation' among conservatives like Kim Moon-soo, Yoo Seung-min, and Cho Won-jin, who have been divided by painful wounds from the past," he said.

Kim said, "For the past 32 years, I have devoted my life to labor movements and political activities, running tirelessly until now," adding, "I have made many efforts to make our party a political party for workers and the common people, not a party that settles in the conservative domain but one that can proactively lead social reform."

He also confessed, "I admit that both my body and mind are suffering from exhaustion to an extent that is humanly uncontrollable. I have a personal wish to gain the freedom of the soul to live humanely by spending time closely with my family, whom I have not been able to embrace warmly until now."

He has faced allegations regarding his daughter's unfair hiring at KT. Kim said, "As a father, I have the responsibility to soothe, heal, and care for the deep wounds inflicted on my daughter. I no longer want to carry around my wife's handbag soaked with tears and moisture," he said.

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