Public officials resign to run for local elections

Former Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Kim Yung-rok gives a farewell speech at the Government Complex in Sejong, Thursday. He is one of dozens of public officials to have stepped down from their posts to run in the June local elections. / Yonhap

By Park Ji-won

Dozens of public officials resigned from their posts Thursday to run in the local elections in June. Thursday was the deadline for ensuing their eligibility for candidacy according to the related law.

Whether they opt to run for governor or mayor voluntarily or at the suggestion of the political parties to which they belong, the resignation of high-ranking officials, including those at Cheong Wa Dae, is causing concerns of creating a vacuum in state and municipal affairs

According to the Public Official Election Law, public officials wishing to run in the local elections must resign from their current posts at least 90 days prior to the polling day. The local elections are set for June 13.

Presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun resigned in early February to run for governor of South Chungcheong Province, although he withdrew from the race Wednesday following allegations of extra-marital affairs.

Moon Dae-lim, former presidential secretary for institutional improvement, will run for Jeju Island governor; while Shin Jung-hoon, former presidential secretary for agricultural affairs, will run for South Jeolla Province governor; and Oh Joong-gi, former secretary for administrative affairs, will seek the North Gyeongsang Province governorship. Former presidential secretary for gender equality and family affairs Eun Soo-mi resigned to run for Seongnam mayor.

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Kim Yung-rok also resigned to run for governor of South Jeolla Province, and Lee Yong-sup, former vice chairman of the Presidential Committee on Job Creation, quit and is seeking to be mayor of Gwangju.

Former Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, a member of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), resigned Wednesday to run for governor of Gyeonggi Province after serving as mayor for eight years.

Some critics are raising concerns that the vacancy at the presidential office may create difficulties in carrying out policies until successors are named.