Ruling party legislator quits primary after flop

Representative Kim Keun-tae of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, the tail-ender in two primary elections last weekend, dropped out of the presidential race Tuesday.

The reform-leaning legislator also resigned as party senior adviser.

"I did my best to achieve political reform through the primary, but the time has come for me to step down," said Mr. Kim, speaking at party headquarters in Seoul. He said he hoped his decision contributes to political reform. He declined to take any questions, citing "deep sorrow," and he endorsed no other candidate.

Representative Lee Jae-joung, who organized the failed campaign, said that Mr. Kim's decision came from the shock of his poor electoral showing, and the attacks from his fellow legislators. He won only 26 votes in the Jeju and Ulsan primaries, 1.5 percent of the total.

Just a week before the party kicked off its seven-week primary to select its presidential nominee, Mr. Kim revealed that he had used about 240 million won ($181,000) of illegal funds during the August 2000 party convention. He said 20 million won came from Kwon Roh-kap, a former senior adviser and still dominating party leader.

If the purpose of his confession was to win a reputation for setting the record straight, the strategy backfired. At the opening primary in Jeju Saturday Mr. Kim, the first of the seven candidates to deliver his pitch, asked the crowd to give him "courage," bruised as he was from attacks by fellow legislators. While seated, he fidgeted and wiped profuse sweat from his face.

Other contenders, hoping for Mr. Kim's support, lauded him Tuesday.

Representative Rhee In-je said, "I will work with Mr. Kim so that the ruling party holds on to the Blue House." Representative Chung Dong-young also praised Mr. Kim, and Representative Hahn Hwa-kap said, "I hope Mr. Kim's withdrawal paves way for a fair competition among us."

His exit places North Jeolla Governor You Jong-keun at the bottom of the list with 36 votes.

by Kim Chong-hyuk