By Kang Seung-woo
Presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook has resigned in what appears to be a step toward running for a National Assembly seat next year, a Cheong Wa Dae official said Monday.
Along with Min, Park Jong-jun, the deputy head of the Presidential Security Service, also stepped down.
"Min and Park have tendered their resignations to President Park Geun-hye for personal reasons," said a Cheong Wa Dae.
"However, I do not know whether they will pursue seats in the National Assembly. It is up to them."
They have been regarded as among potential candidates to run in the general election, scheduled for April 13, 2016.
Min, a former anchor of the Korean Broadcasting System, is expected to run for a seat in a district of Incheon, while Park, a lifetime police officer, is speculated to announce his candidacy in the administrative city of Sejong, according to sources at Cheong Wa Dae.
Their resignation came as some of President Park's close aides are expected to seek parliamentary seats to help her tighten her grip on the Saenuri Party during the remainder of her presidency.
Currently, four other members of Park's senior staff, including Ahn Jong-beom, senior secretary for economic affairs, and An Bong-geun, secretary for public information, are also expected to run in the elections in Daegu ― a political stronghold for her.
However, Park's office said there will be no additional resignation of her aides due to the general election.
"Other than Min and Park, no one will leave Cheong Wa Dae. I ask the media to refrain from speculating over further resignations of her aides," the official said.
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| Min Kyung-wook |
Along with Min, Park Jong-jun, the deputy head of the Presidential Security Service, also stepped down.
"Min and Park have tendered their resignations to President Park Geun-hye for personal reasons," said a Cheong Wa Dae.
"However, I do not know whether they will pursue seats in the National Assembly. It is up to them."
They have been regarded as among potential candidates to run in the general election, scheduled for April 13, 2016.
Min, a former anchor of the Korean Broadcasting System, is expected to run for a seat in a district of Incheon, while Park, a lifetime police officer, is speculated to announce his candidacy in the administrative city of Sejong, according to sources at Cheong Wa Dae.
Their resignation came as some of President Park's close aides are expected to seek parliamentary seats to help her tighten her grip on the Saenuri Party during the remainder of her presidency.
Currently, four other members of Park's senior staff, including Ahn Jong-beom, senior secretary for economic affairs, and An Bong-geun, secretary for public information, are also expected to run in the elections in Daegu ― a political stronghold for her.
However, Park's office said there will be no additional resignation of her aides due to the general election.
"Other than Min and Park, no one will leave Cheong Wa Dae. I ask the media to refrain from speculating over further resignations of her aides," the official said.
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