Sohn Hak-kyu Runs as Independent... "I Will Be the President Who Abolishes the Presidential System"

Former Minsheng Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu is entering the funeral hall at Seoul Samsung Hospital, where the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee's wake is being held, on the afternoon of the 26th to pay his respects. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] With 100 days remaining until the presidential election, Sohn Hak-kyu, former leader of the Bareunmirae Party, declared his candidacy for the 20th presidential election, stating he will become "the president who abolishes the unlimited power of the imperial presidency."

On the 29th, Sohn held a press conference at a cafe in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to announce his presidential bid.

Before declaring his candidacy, he said, "The presidential election has been filled not with national vision or future vision, but with all kinds of personal attacks, mudslinging, and populism," adding, "I thought I could no longer just stand by and watch."

Sohn placed the abolition of the presidential system at the forefront. He also pledged to transform the two-party National Assembly into a multi-party assembly to realize a "parliament-centered coalition politics." He said, "I will end the 1987 system through constitutional amendment and open the 7th Republic. I will create a country where the president does not have to go to prison."

He identified three leadership qualities necessary for the next president: visionary leadership, unifying leadership, and democratic leadership. He explained, "First, visionary leadership to lead Korea into the future with a new spirit of the times; second, unifying leadership to overcome division and conflict; third, democratic leadership to amend the constitution and lead parliamentary politics."

This presidential bid marks his fourth attempt, following the 17th to 19th elections. Although he previously ran in several presidential primaries, he was unsuccessful. Sohn commented, "Previously, I developed policies with professors over a long period, deliberated, and organized, but I was defeated in the preliminary stages. Now, since I did not prepare in advance to enter politics or run for president, this is a new beginning."

He announced that he would leave the Minsaeng Party and run as an independent candidate. Sohn said, "I submitted my resignation from the Minsaeng Party this morning. Yesterday, I met with the party leader and decided that since I am opening a new path in politics and aiming to change our country's politics, it is not right to remain complacent and seek benefits from vested interests."

Pointing out the drawbacks of the existing two-party politics, Sohn dismissed the possibility of unification with other candidates. He explained, "Our country's political system is a contradictory structure that pursues only winning elections and strategies to seize power. Since the goal of this election is to end the 1987 system, I am not considering unification."

Regarding his plan to elicit public response, he stated, "I believe that if there is public support, it can spread like wildfire."

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