'Pinikje' Lee In-je Finally Announces Withdrawal from Election

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Former lawmaker Lee In-je, who was cut off by the United Future Party, announced on the 17th that he would not run as an independent candidate either. Having successfully won six terms by changing party affiliations, he was nicknamed 'Phoenixje' (a combination of Phoenix, meaning immortal bird, and Lee In-je), but he suffered consecutive defeats in the 2016 general election and the 2018 Chungnam gubernatorial election.

On the day, former lawmaker Lee said, "The United Future Party's nomination management committee cut me off without even holding a primary," adding, "On the 10th, I demanded the party leadership to review this illegal and unfair nomination, and if it was not reviewed, I expressed my willingness to leave the party and run as an independent. However, many people who care about me discouraged me from running as an independent, worrying about the division of conservative votes." He had hoped to run in the Nonsan, Gyeryong, and Geumsan districts of Chungcheongnam-do.

Former lawmaker Lee stated, "Today, as the hope that the party can correct the wrong nomination has disappeared, I have decided to withdraw my intention to run as an independent, honoring the wishes of many who care about the country. As a rank-and-file member, I will do my best for the United Future Party to grow into a true democratic party loved by the people, and to lead the country's prosperity and national unification."

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