"I Will Pave the Way for Juniors," Kookhim's Lee Dal-gon Declares He Will Not Run in the General Election

Handonghun Emergency Committee Chair "Respect for Selfless Devotion to the Nation"

Lee Dal-gon, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, has announced that he will not run in the 22nd National Assembly election.

Lee, an incumbent representing Jinhae District in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, stated in a press release on the 25th, "I have decided not to run in the 22nd general election and hereby withdraw my candidacy."

Lee Dal-gon, Member of the National Assembly of the People Power Party.

He said, "I will step aside for the victory of the People Power Party in the general election, the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, and the development of the Republic of Korea."

He explained his reason for not running, saying, "I have been running breathlessly as a Seoul National University professor, president of the Korea Institute of Local Administration, Minister of the Interior and Safety, presidential secretary for political affairs, and a two-term member of the National Assembly. Now, I want to open the way for juniors who can do better."

He added, "I apologize for disappointing all the citizens of Jinhae. I am grateful for being nurtured as a two-term member of the National Assembly and for all the love I have received. From now on, I will visit you as an ordinary colleague."

At the People Power Party's 2024 New Year's greeting event, Assemblyman Lee Dal-gon is making a heart gesture toward the attendees.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

Lee said, "This general election is crucial for the fate of the Republic of Korea," adding, "We must unite for the success of the Yoon government and the development of Korea. I will not hesitate to play any role for the victory of the People Power Party in the general election."

With Lee’s withdrawal from the preliminary candidacy, the People Power Party candidates applying for nomination in Changwon Jinhae District are now three: Park Chun-duk, former Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly member; Kim Ha-yong, former chairman of the Provincial Council; and Lee Sung-hee, visiting research fellow at Korea University Public Policy Research Institute.

Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman, issued a statement on Lee’s decision not to run, saying, "On behalf of the People Power Party, I express deep respect for Lee’s dedication with a spirit of serving future generations."

Chairman Han said, "Lee has served the people for a long time through important public offices such as Minister of the Interior and Safety and legislative activities, contributing to the development of this country and Changwon Jinhae. Our People Power Party wants to receive the people's choice more humbly and earnestly together with Lee."

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