Former presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-seok withdrew his application to run as the People Power Party candidate in the by-election for lawmaker in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, South Chungcheong.
Chung said on Facebook on the 7th, "It is painful for me, but the party will be in great pain as well," adding, "I will withdraw my application to be the People Power Party candidate in the June 3 by-election for lawmaker."
Chung added, "I also conveyed to Candidate Nomination Committee Chair Park Deok-heum that I would follow the party's decision."
He continued, "If my candidacy harms the party's unity or weakens our party's momentum to stop the runaway of the massive power, I will halt that path," and said, "I will return as an ordinary rank-and-file member and serve in plain clothes."
He also said, "The only alternative that can stop the Democratic Party's rampage is the People Power Party," adding, "Even if you dislike us, I ask the public to take another look."
Earlier, on the 30th, Chung applied for the People Power Party nomination for the by-election for lawmaker in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, South Chungcheong. However, on this day, People Power Party Candidate Nomination Committee Chair Park Deok-heum was said to have dissuaded Chung from running.
People Power Party candidates for the by-election for lawmaker in Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang, South Chungcheong, include Yoon Yong-geun, People Power Party media spokesperson; Kim Hyuk-jong, former chief of staff to the South Chungcheong governor; So Jeong-im, vice chair of the party's finance committee; Oh Byung-joo, former Vice Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister; and Yoon Min-a, former Deputy Director at the Office of the Prime Minister.