Four-term Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Seo Young-kyo withdrew from the Seoul mayoral race on Monday, just one month after declaring her candidacy for the June 3 local elections.
"I am now stepping down from my journey as a mayoral candidate," Seo said at a press conference at the National Assembly's Sotongkwan. "It has been a month since I declared my candidacy for mayor. I have been running to reclaim the Seoul mayoralty for several months. Now I want to become a foundation for the Democratic Party's victory."
"The biggest reason I decided to run for Seoul mayor was my determination to end the arrogant and incompetent administration of Mayor Oh Se-hoon and return Seoul to the hands of its citizens," Seo said.
"I have concluded that standing at the forefront of the legislature for the eradication of insurrection, judicial reform, and the restoration of democracy is the path I must take now," she added.
Seo described the energy she received from supporters during her campaign activities. "From rallies across Seoul's 25 districts to regional association meetings, legislative briefings, and numerous professional organization events, I was energized by the warm welcome from citizens everywhere and their hopeful encouragement, saying 'Thank you for being so refreshing' and 'Thank you for protecting the Republic of Korea from Yoon Suk-yeol.'"
The Democratic Party began two days of interviews with candidates for metropolitan government heads at party headquarters on Monday. Seo was among those scheduled for interviews that day.
Five other Democratic Party lawmakers—Park Hong-keun, Park Joo-min, Jeon Hyun-hee, and Kim Young-bae—along with Seongdong District Mayor Jeong Won-oh have declared their candidacies for Seoul mayor.