Lee Jin-sook, former Korea Communications Commission chief, announced Saturday she is stepping down as a preliminary candidate for Daegu mayor. Excluded from the People Power Party's primary, she opted to support the party's nominee rather than run independently amid fears of a Democratic Party win. The primary concludes Sunday ahead of the June 3 local elections.
Lee Jin-sook, former head of the Korea Communications Commission under ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, said during a press conference at the People Power Party office in Daegu, about 250 kilometers southeast of Seoul, "I am stepping down as a preliminary candidate for Daegu mayor. I will back the party's nominee, once selected in the primary tomorrow, to defeat the Democratic Party contender."
The party excluded her from the nomination process about a month ago, citing the need for a candidate with economic expertise to revive Daegu's declining economy rather than political experience. Lee called the nomination committee's decision "unfair" but withdrew due to concerns over a potential Democratic Party victory in the conservative stronghold. Her announcement follows Rep. Joo Ho-young's similar decision two days earlier, ending a monthlong feud.
Last week, the PPP narrowed six preliminary candidates to finalists Reps. Choo Kyung-ho and Yoo Yeong-ha. Choo said in a statement, "This election is about reviving Daegu's stagnant economy and restoring a shaken democracy. We will respond with an overwhelming victory in Daegu and a confident rebuilding of the conservative bloc."
Yoo urged unity: "We must now join forces as one. We will go beyond division toward integration and secure victory with united strength, not fragmentation." PPP chief spokesperson Rep. Park Sung-hoon highly appreciated Lee's decision as a "valuable foundation for victory." The party will select its nominee Sunday via a combined vote of members and a public opinion poll.
