Hong Jun-pyo, presidential candidate who lost in the People Power primary, says, ”Today marks the end of my 30-year career in politics... My role is over” (South Korea)

Hong Jun-pyo, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, said on the 29th after failing to advance to the runoff election, "I will return to being a natural person and live a carefree life. My role in this presidential election is
This is it," Hong said. Immediately after the results were announced at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that afternoon, candidate Hong said, "Dear citizens and party members,
I am truly grateful that I was able to graduate from my political career today with the support of everyone over the past 30 years.
The party announced that as a result of the second primary poll with candidates Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo, candidates Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon have advanced to the runoff election.
Prior to the announcement of the results that day, Hong said, "If I were to run in the runoff election, I would like to make the following proposal. Candidate Han Deok-soo and the two other candidates who advanced to the runoff election today
Hong said, "We have selected candidates from the political parties, and up until now, all eight candidates (who have run for office) have held primaries, but from now on, Han Deok will be the only candidate.
Candidate Su will come in and then have another runoff with whoever wins the runoff. Isn't that a bit against the principles?"
Hong said, "If the two candidates advance to the runoff election today, Han Deok-soo will be able to exercise his presidential powers.
Let's have the acting president join the party and hold a one-shot national primary election, like the ones held in the past by Roh Moo-hyun and Chung Mong-jun, and get it over with in one go.
"This is my third time in the presidential primary. I lost once because of the public's sentiment, and once because of the party's sentiment. Since this is the third time, I don't think I have any more strength left.
"We must not allow our country to be governed by a serious criminal like (Democratic Party) candidate Lee Jae-myung. That thought suddenly occurred to me," Hong said.
"I decided to run in the primary with the idea of comparing the two and asking the public to choose between Lee Jae-myung's country and Lee Jae-myung's country," he said.