Joo Ho-young, a lawmaker who was cut off (excluded from nomination) in the People Power Party primary for the Daegu mayoral race in the June 3 local elections, announced on the 23rd that he would not run for Daegu mayor.
Holding a press conference at the National Assembly this afternoon, Joo said, "I judged that it was right to take on a heavier responsibility for fixing the party's nomination structure and rebuilding the conservative bloc," and stated accordingly.
Joo said, "Looking at the party's behavior, my affection has cooled, but at this time I reflected deeply on the fidelity a person must keep," and added, "I will not spit into the well I drank from. I decided not to run a campaign that pits me against party members who have helped me for a long time."
He went on, "At every election, under the name of strategic nominations, they parachute people in, twist standards to eliminate certain individuals, and even then no one takes responsibility—this is the structure I will fix," adding, "Those responsible for nomination failures will be held to account, the collapsed party order will be set right, and I will stake my political life on returning the conservative bloc to a party that can win elections again."
Aiming at leader Jang Dong-hyeok, Joo said, "It has been said that when someone lacks character but holds high office, has little wisdom but big dreams, few escape misfortune," and directly criticized, "Please, know when to advance and when to step back."
On the court's dismissal of the appeal for an injunction to suspend the cutoff's effect, Joo said, "I find the court's decision very regrettable," adding, "Frankly, it retreated cowardly behind the words about respecting a party's autonomy and this being an internal party matter."