Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong stated on the 9th, "I will not run in this presidential election."
On this day, former Minister Won mentioned in a Facebook post, "As the head of the policy headquarters of the election campaign committee in the previous presidential election, and as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Yun Seok-yeol administration faced presidential impeachment," and noted, "I also bear significant responsibility."
He continued, "Through the last party convention, I desperately warned that if the party and the government became divided, everyone would perish, but we could not prevent it," adding, "It is due to my shortcomings." He then stated, "To fulfill my responsibilities, I will not run in the presidential election."
However, former Minister Won wrote, "For the victory in the presidential election, I will take any role necessary for the unity of the party and the support of the people."
In the People Power Party, lawmakers Ahn Cheol-soo, former lawmakers Lee Jung-hyun, Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo have announced their candidacies. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and former leader Han Dong-hoon are expected to declare their candidacies. Both inside and outside the party, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is acting for the President, is also mentioned as a presidential candidate.