Kim Jong-pil, the founder of Korea’ Central Intelligence Agency as well as a long-time politician, recently expressed his intention to leave the ruling Saenuri Party, according to party sources Wednesday.
Details of his decision to leave the conservative party were not known.
But those who are close to him said Kim, a former nine-term lawmaker, was disappointed by the ruling party after it pushed for reform which included some liberal elements in its campaign pledges.
The veteran politician, 86, who became affiliated with the ruling party in 2007 after giving his endorsement to then presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak, was also discontent as he felt he was not properly treated after Lee was sworn in as President.
Kim is the founder of the now-defunct conservative United Liberal Democrats, which had a strong presence in the Chungcheong provinces in elections.
He retired from politics in 2004 after his bid for a tenth term failed.