Jeong Dong-yeong "Multiparty system dream sunk... I will return as a private citizen"

In the 21st general election, Jeong Dong-young, the Minsheng Party candidate for Jeonju-byeong, Jeonbuk, held a press conference at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council on the 16th to deliver a concession speech. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Jeong Dong-young, the Minsaeng Party candidate who ran for Jeonju-byeong, Jeonbuk in the 21st general election but lost, announced on the 20th that "I am now returning to being a private citizen," expressing his intention to retire from politics.

On the afternoon of the same day, Jeong wrote on his Facebook, "Looking back, it is late spring. The flowers are falling," and said, "Thank you. I am sorry. Since around this time four years ago, I dreamed of a multiparty system and wanted to create a new path for Korean politics. However, it was stranded due to my lack of strength and ability. I humbly accept this."

He continued, "I am a 'debtor.' I have come this far thanks to infinite love and support," and "I asked for the last opportunity to serve in order to repay that debt, but I failed. I am heartbroken and sorry for not being able to repay the great love."

Jeong ran for Jeonju-byeong, Jeonbuk in this general election but was defeated by Kim Seong-ju of the Democratic Party of Korea. Jeong recorded 32.0% of the vote, losing by a margin of 34.6 percentage points to Kim, who received 66.6%.

Meanwhile, Jeong, a former MBC reporter, was first elected in the 1996 general election. He served as Minister of Unification during the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2004 and ran as the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Party in the 2007 presidential election.

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