By Kim Se-jeong
Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon withdrew his presidential bid on Thursday, pledging to channel his energy into city administration.
The announcement came less than a month after he made his bid official.
"I didn't know politics well. I will start over again," the mayor said during a press conference at City Hall. "It's time to take up overseas trips that are overdue (as mayor)."
He vowed his continued support for his party ― the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) ― in the presidential election. "Now, as a member, I will see what I can do."
Asked about his interest in a third term as mayor, Park refused to answer, saying it's too early.
Park was first elected mayor in 2011. He was reelected in 2014 for a second term which will end next year.
Park's announcement came as a surprise to his supporters, but it's long been predicted that his chances of winning the presidential election, let alone the party primary, were low.
Within the party, he had many high-profile contenders, such as Moon Jae-in and Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, whose popularity skyrocketed during the recent candle-lit protests against President Park Geun-hye.
The mayor's popularity was also felt quite strongly during the protests when he offered logistical support to the organizers and attended faithfully.
Until last week, he stayed optimistic that he could overcome the low approval ratings, which was less than 5 percent.
"Remember former President Roh Moo-hyun?" he said during a meeting with journalists. "When he first ran, his approval ratings were only 2 percent."
In an attempt to improve his winning chances, he proposed a joint primary for all three opposition parties ― DPK, the People's Party and the Justice Party ― but it didn't get much support from other liberal presidential hopefuls.
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| Park Won-soon |
The announcement came less than a month after he made his bid official.
"I didn't know politics well. I will start over again," the mayor said during a press conference at City Hall. "It's time to take up overseas trips that are overdue (as mayor)."
He vowed his continued support for his party ― the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) ― in the presidential election. "Now, as a member, I will see what I can do."
Asked about his interest in a third term as mayor, Park refused to answer, saying it's too early.
Park was first elected mayor in 2011. He was reelected in 2014 for a second term which will end next year.
Park's announcement came as a surprise to his supporters, but it's long been predicted that his chances of winning the presidential election, let alone the party primary, were low.
Within the party, he had many high-profile contenders, such as Moon Jae-in and Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, whose popularity skyrocketed during the recent candle-lit protests against President Park Geun-hye.
The mayor's popularity was also felt quite strongly during the protests when he offered logistical support to the organizers and attended faithfully.
Until last week, he stayed optimistic that he could overcome the low approval ratings, which was less than 5 percent.
"Remember former President Roh Moo-hyun?" he said during a meeting with journalists. "When he first ran, his approval ratings were only 2 percent."
In an attempt to improve his winning chances, he proposed a joint primary for all three opposition parties ― DPK, the People's Party and the Justice Party ― but it didn't get much support from other liberal presidential hopefuls.
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