Rep. Kim Bu-gyeom announces he will not run for party chairmanship

Rep. Kim Bu-gyeom announces he will not run for party chairmanship. June. 24, 2016 07:20. by 한상준 기자alwaysj@donga.com. Rep. Kim Bu-gyeom of the Minjoo Party of Korea announced on Thursday his decision not to run in the upcoming chairman election. As Kim, who has been torn between party chairmanship and presidential candidacy, gave up his quest for party leadership, pundits say that he will likely go for the presidential race. Should this come true, the Minjoo Party will produce four major presidential candidates including former party Chairman Moon Jae-in, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, South Chungcheong Province Governor Ahn Hee-jung in addition to Rep. Kim.

In his statement, Kim said that he would do his best to change political leadership without looking back, adding that he would keep the option of going down the political path that lies ahead. “His decision to give up one of the two options that he had should mean that he will eventually go for the presidential election,” interpreted one party official.

Following Mayor Park and Governor Ahn, Rep. Kim has practically joined the race to take the highest office in the country. Most analysts are of the view that they are racing to run for presidential office with the election one and a half years ahead, because the ruling party is having a hard time fielding a clear line-up of candidates after the main opposition party carried the recent general elections.

As Kim announced he will not take part in the party convention, the race for party chairmanship of the Minjoo Party of Korea is shaping up to be a rivalry between two candidates. Indeed, Rep. Choo Mi-ae and Rep. Song Yeong-gil have already begun to prepare for the election for party chairmanship. It could also turn into a tripartite race should Rep. Lee Jong-geol, a non-mainstream lawmaker of the opposition party, decide to jockey for the coveted post. It has been reported that Rep. Park Yeong-seon has made up her mind not to run in the election.