Democratic Party's '586' Kim Min-gi Withdraws... 'Money Envelope' Im Jong-seong Also Gives Up Running

3-term Kim Min-gi "Will Step Aside When Devoting to the Party"
Pro-Myeong Lim Jong-seong Involved in 'Money Envelope Scandal' Also Withdraws from Election

Three-term lawmaker Kim Min-ki of the Democratic Party of Korea announced that he will not run in the April 10 general election. Im Jong-seong, a two-term lawmaker from the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction involved in the 'party convention money envelope' scandal, also decided not to run. With this, the number of incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers who have declared they will not run has reached eight.

On the 19th, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "I have long thought that as a three-term lawmaker, I must fulfill my responsibilities and make sacrifices," adding, "I deeply feel responsible for the public's distrust of today's politics and believe that opportunities should be given to people with new and diverse perspectives." Kim, a former Yongin city council member, has served three consecutive terms representing Gyeonggi Yongin since the 19th general election.

Kim Min-ki, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 19th to announce his decision not to run in the general election. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He also delivered harsh criticism of the political world. He said, "I am well aware of the public's concerns about politicians who focus solely on elections and cling to vested interests," and added, "Now, I want to relinquish my vested interests and step aside." He continued, "It is time for me to take a pause as a politician and reflect on myself," and said, "I will do my best so that the Democratic Party can win together with the people."

Right after the press conference, when asked by reporters about his intention to join the 'third zone,' Kim drew a line by saying, "I only think that it is time to devote myself to the party and have no other thoughts." He added, "I will solely support our Democratic Party to win and help suppress the prosecutor regime."

Regarding his criticism of the political world along with his announcement not to run, when asked if he has any concerns about the leadership of Representative Lee Jae-myung and the party leadership, he replied, "I do not have such big thoughts." When asked if he thinks that senior lawmakers or the 586 activist generation should continue to step down, he said, "I do not want to distinguish between specific factions or groups," adding, "If someone has new ideas, factions do not matter."

Kim explained that he had been contemplating the right time to step down since he was elected for the third term, and that he originally planned to announce his decision not to run at the end of the year but postponed it due to various National Assembly circumstances. Earlier this year, the timing was delayed again when Representative Lee was attacked with a weapon.

Im Jong-seong, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea Photo by Yonhap News

Im, a two-term lawmaker involved in the 'party convention money envelope acceptance' scandal, also expressed his intention not to run. His current constituency is Gyeonggi Gwangju-eul.

On the afternoon of the same day, Im posted on his social media, saying, "There are parts of the various controversies about me that are unfair and many parts that are not true," but added, "I believe that stepping down now is the right thing to do for the party and party members who embraced my shortcomings, as well as for the citizens of Gwangju."

Im is a member of the pro-Lee group '7-in Club' and was summoned by the prosecution on the 10th over the money envelope acceptance allegations. Separately, he is also under investigation by the prosecution for allegedly receiving about 10 million won in cash and gifts from an executive of a construction company in his constituency. However, Im denies most of the allegations.

With this, the number of incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers who have declared they will not run in the April 10 general election has increased to eight. Previously, six-term lawmaker Park Byeong-seok, who served as National Assembly Speaker, four-term lawmaker Woo Sang-ho, and first-term lawmakers Kang Min-jung, Oh Young-hwan, Lee Tan-hee, and Hong Seong-guk had announced they would not run in the general election.

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