Former Prime Minister Goh Kun, one of the leading contenders for South Korea's next presidency, dropped out of the race on Tuesday, upsetting the political dynamics taking shape for December's election.
"I anguished a lot and decided not to run in the 2007 presidential election," Goh said in a statement distributed at his campaign office in Seoul. "I also decided to wrap up my political activity beginning today."
Goh has seen his support rating turn downward over the past year, falling from the top to third in the race. His rating especially suffered after President Roh Moo-hyun expressed uneasiness last month about Goh's possible nomination by the governing Uri Party as its presidential candidate.
"In the face of a confrontational political structure, I deeply realized my ability is not enough, and now I'd like to accept with humility the assessment of public opinion that found the results of my activities fall far short of expectations," he said.
Former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak, a member of the major opposition Grand National Party, leads the race comfortably with 48 percent support, followed by the party's former chairperson Park Geun-hye with 17 percent, according to a survey of 1004 people by Hangil Research & Consulting released Tuesday. Goh trailed the two with 14 percent.
His decision will leave the ruling Uri Party in a deeper quandary over choosing a candidate. Word had it that Goh, who had no party affiliation, would join the Uri Party and minor opposition Democratic Party to challenge opposition rivals in the race.
He cited his faltering ratings as the reason to quit, but there has been a rumor that his respiratory illness had worsened. In the statement, he said "after receiving treatment for months, I'm now in the stage of complete healing."
Due to his supporters rushing to his office to avert his announcement, Goh cancelled the scheduled press conference and instead had his statement distributed. Dozens of his fans blocked him from getting off the elevator and meeting journalists.
Dubbed a "master of governance," Goh served as prime minister for the Kim Young-sam administration in the late 1990s and for that of President Roh between 2003 and 2004.
The Uri Party expressed regret over Goh's sudden announcement.
"He's not a member of the Uri Party, but as he has been seen as one of the possible partners for the Uri Party, the decision is somewhat regrettable," Uri Party spokesman Woo Sang-ho said by telephone.
The governing party is expected to pick a new leadership next month. Saddled with woeful ratings of around 10 percent, talks on disbanding the party and creating a new one are under way.
Seoul, Jan. 16 (Yonhap News)
Former prime minister drops presidential bid |
