Hong Young-pyo to Not Run in Party Convention... "I Will Serve Quietly"

Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo at the National Assembly National Defense Committee's audit held at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 2nd. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has decided not to run in the 8.29 Democratic Party leadership election.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Hong held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly and said, "The tasks entrusted to the Democratic Party by the people are overcoming the COVID-19 national crisis and achieving substantial progress in peace on the Korean Peninsula, based on the success of the Moon Jae-in administration." He added, "I made the decision to become the party leader to heed the people's mandate and create a more united Democratic Party."

He continued, "I have listened to various opinions within the party and have given it much thought," and said, "I have concluded that it is better not to run in this party leadership election and to serve quietly." He also expressed hope that "this leadership election will become a valuable stepping stone for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration and the reestablishment of the government."

With Hong's withdrawal, the Democratic Party leadership election scheduled for the 29th of next month is expected to be a three-way race among Lee Nak-yeon, former member Kim Boo-kyum, and Woo Won-shik. Lee is scheduled to announce his candidacy on the 7th, Kim on the 9th, while Woo has not yet announced his related schedule.

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