<Anchor> It
is reported that Chung Ho-young, a candidate for Minister of Health and Welfare, spoke on the phone with President Yoon Seok-yeol before expressing his voluntary resignation.
The reaction of the opposition parties was mixed.
Next is reporter Kwon Ran.
<Reporter> It
is said that welfare minister candidate Jeong Ho-young had a phone call with President Yoon Seok-yeol before announcing his voluntary resignation.
An official from the presidential office said, "I know that candidate Chung made a report to President Yoon in advance."
In fact, you accepted your resignation.
Multiple presidential office officials said in a phone call with SBS, "President Yoon knows that candidate Chung has made a decision not to impose a political burden on the president."
Prior to yesterday morning, President Yoon said, "It seems that we need a little more time", but as critical public opinion grew, it seems that the decision was made in the form of voluntary resignation of candidate Chung rather than withdrawal of the president's nomination.
However, the presidential office did not make an official position on the resignation of candidate Chung.
The people's power was evaluated as "a decision for cooperation with the Democratic Party."
Yang Geum-hee, spokesperson for the People's Power, said, "Even if there were no legal problems, it was not in line with the public's expectations."
The Democrats criticized it as "a riot."
Koh Yong-jin, head of the public affairs department of the Democratic Party's election committee, said, "The public's condemnation of Candidate Jeong still completely denies the allegations, and President Yoon will not be able to avoid criticism from the public for his inconsistent personnel as his decision has been delayed."