Kim Geun-tae, former head of the pro-government Uri Party, said Tuesday that he has decided to give up the presidential race, supporting an ongoing drive to nominate a single candidate against the popular major opposition party ahead of the December election
The decision has come out against the backdrop of stalled negotiations between the Uri Party and other minor opposition parties to form an alliance against the Grand National Party (GNP).
"From now on, I will devote myself entirely to achieving the alliance of the peace and reform forces, stopping all my efforts to become a presidential contender," Kim said in a press release distributed before his scheduled official announcement at the National Assembly. He also said he would quit the Uri Party for the similar reason.
Kim, who served as health and welfare minister in 2004, has been one of the presidential
hopefuls for the pro-government party striving to raise voter support amid low approval ratings for the administration of President Roh Moo-hyun.