Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party of Korea said on the 23rd that she would "halt the journey to run in the Seoul mayoral election."
Seo held a press conference at the National Assembly that day and said, "In deference to the fervent public sentiment, I intend to choose a greater sense of calling and responsibility," and stated accordingly.
Seo said, "Now is the time to pool our strength behind the shared goal that Seoul must be changed, rather than an individual's bid," adding, "I will step back from being a candidate and join the Seoul mayoral candidates in a vigorous partnership for victory."
She went on, "We must firmly support the second special counsel investigation, and we must complete the unfinished prosecutorial and judicial reforms, including establishing the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, as well as enacting the crime of legal distortion, introducing the constitutional complaint against court rulings, and increasing the number of Supreme Court justices," adding, "I have concluded that standing at the forefront of the legislature for eradicating insurrection, advancing judicial reform, and restoring democracy is the path I must take now."
She added, "Although I am stepping back from running, I will never set aside my determination to change Seoul together with you," and said, "Above all, I will prioritize party unity and solidarity, and in the National Assembly I will do my utmost to ensure that the reform legislation and livelihood policies of the Lee Jae-myung administration are carried out without wavering."
With Seo's decision not to run, the Democratic Party's field of Seoul mayoral contenders has narrowed to five: Chong Won-o, head of Seongdong District, and incumbent lawmakers Park Hong-keun, Park Ju-min, Jeon Hyun-hee, and Kim Young-bae.