Jang Dong-hyuk 'Heartbroken' Over Jeong Jin-seok's Withdrawal from By-election Race

Jeong Jin-seok, former Presidential Chief of Staff, has decided not to run as a candidate for the People Power Party in the Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang constituency, South Chungcheong Province, where a National Assembly by-election is scheduled for June 3. Jeong announced his decision to withdraw his application for the by-election candidacy on Facebook on the 7th. Amidst this, controversy was spreading within and outside the party regarding Jeong, a former official in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's Presidential Secretariat, running as a candidate, labeled as a 'Yoon-again' nomination.

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, conveyed on social media on the 8th that he called Jeong's decision a "great decision" and added, "I am truly heartbroken." Jang also stated that Jeong Jin-seok expressed his intent to "ensure victory in the upcoming local elections so that today's dedication shines even brighter," and added his belief that Jeong would continue to play a role as a senior figure for the party.

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-heum, a preliminary candidate for the People Power Party in the South Chungcheong Province governor race, declared his candidacy for the June 3 local elections on the 8th and is scheduled to hold an opening ceremony for his election office in Cheonan on the 9th. Party leadership, including leader Jang Dong-hyuk, is expected to attend the opening ceremony for preliminary candidate Kim Tae-heum's election office in Baekseok-dong, Cheonan, on the 9th.