Opposition candidate quits presidential race

Park Joon-young, a minor opposition contender for December's presidential election, said Tuesday he is dropping out of the race.

The candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) did not say why he was giving up, but a close aide hinted the incumbent South Jeolla Province governor felt burdened by his low approval ratings and inability to perform his public duties of running the province.

"I took part in the race so as to realize the people's solemn command for a change of government and to meet the keen expectations of party members, but I am ceasing my activities as a presidential candidate from this point on," Park told a news conference at the National Assembly.

His withdrawal leaves the DUP with four candidates to compete for the party's nomination, including Moon Jae-in, a former chief of staff to the late President Roh Moo-hyun, and Sohn Hak-kyu, a special advisor for the party.

The DUP is set to pick its presidential hopeful in the middle of September through a primary race that officially begins on Saturday.

The nominee is expected to challenge Park Geun-hye, who won the ruling Saenuri Party's primary in a landslide victory on Monday.

The governor declined to comment on whether he will support a particular candidate, saying all four are "fine people" and he hopes a "good candidate" will receive the people's support. (Yonhap)