Former Jeonbuk Governor Song Ha-jin Announces Retirement from Politics

Democratic Party Governor Primary 'Cutoff'... Ending 16 Years of Eulogy and Regret for Elected Local Leaders

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Song Ha-jin, former governor of Jeonbuk Province, who was cut off (excluded from nomination) in the Democratic Party's nomination screening for the Jeonbuk gubernatorial candidate, announced his retirement from politics on the 18th.

At a press conference held that day, Governor Song said, "I now want to leave politics," and added, "There are no longer your side or my side for me, only our side."

He continued by reciting a verse, "Between the rising morning sun and the beautiful evening glow, birds fly high in the sky and flowers bloom so brightly," and said, "I will take good care of the matters entrusted to me until the end."

With this, Governor Song concluded a total of 16 years as an elected local government head, including 8 years as mayor of Jeonju and 8 years as governor, and will return to private life.

Originally, Governor Song had a strong desire to challenge for a historic third term as Jeonbuk governor, but he was unexpectedly cut off in the nomination screening.

Meanwhile, the central party's nomination committee confirmed three candidates for the Jeonbuk gubernatorial primary on the 14th: National Assembly members Kim Yoon-duk, Ahn Ho-young, and former National Assembly member Kim Kwan-young.

The primary election to select the Jeonbuk gubernatorial candidate will be finally decided by combining 50% of the votes from party members with voting rights and 50% of the votes from the safe number electorate.

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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