“Due to a Lack of Ability, I Will Not Run in the Election”

On April 30, Chung Un-chan, former Seoul National University president, declared that he would give up his candidacy for the 17th presidential election.

At a press conference at the Cecil restaurant at 2:00 p.m. in Jung-gu, Seoul, Chung said, “I have been thinking about running for the election and I have decided not to enter the race because I don’t deserve a presidential candidacy due to my lack of ability and competence.”

In a statement called “Words for the public,” he stated, “As far as I am concerned, politics is an activity not only to suggest a vision and policies but also to enforce those factors. In this regard, I don’t think I am the right leader for the public and the nation.”

Chung’s withdrawal will affect the ruling party’s candidate competition and a plan for the new integrated party.

A strategy change for the Uri Party and some civil society groups who are in favor of the new integrated party is inevitable because they had plans to organize a joint meeting with former the SNU president and Sohn Hak-gyu, former Gyeonggi governor.

Chung said, “I as an intellectual had thought that I should contribute to the society, so I have considered participating in politics for several months, but because social attention through the media and political parties has been focused on me, I was frustrated when my agony was seen as a political consideration and cowardice. I think that is all my fault.”

After his three-minute speech, he said, “I will not take any questions” and left the conference to get on a plane to Jeju Island at Gimpo Airport.

mindy@donga.com