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Minor presidential candidate Kim withdraws from race to support ruling party's Lee

By Kim Young-won
Published : March 2, 2022 - 10:42

Lee Jae-myung (R), the presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Party, and Kim Dong-yeon, the presidential nominee of the New Wave Party, hold hands following their meeting at a cafe in Seoul on Tuesday. The two agreed to have policy coalitions for the March 9 presidential election. (Yonhap)

Kim Dong-yeon, the presidential candidate of the minor New Wave Party, dropped out of the race Wednesday to support ruling party candidate Lee Jae-myung.

Kim, who served as President Moon Jae-in's first finance minister, announced the withdrawal a day after he reached an agreement with Lee of the ruling Democratic Party to have policy coalitions and operation of a joint government.

"It was not an easy decision for me," Kim said. "Please understand this was a difficult decision aimed at realizing the philosophy and values that we pursue."

The two earlier promised to pursue various political reform measures together, including a revision of the constitution and electoral system.

Kim's withdrawal came as Lee is running neck and neck with Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) at around 40 percent support each in opinion polls.

Recent surveys have shown that Kim has less than 1 percent support. (Yonhap)




By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)

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