In Statements Posted on Facebook Around 9 P.m., They Asked Delegates Scheduled to Vote Saturday to Elect Rep in South Korea

Two pro-Lee Jae-myung lawmakers running for seats on the Democratic Party of Korea's supreme council withdrew their candidacies on Friday, urging delegates to vote for a fellow pro-Lee candidate instead. Reps. Kim Young-ho and Im Mi-ae, both members of the pro-Lee faction, announced their withdrawal from the race for the party's supreme council member positions ahead of the Aug.

17 national convention. In statements posted on Facebook around 9 p.m., they asked delegates scheduled to vote Saturday to elect Rep. Kim Yong to the council.

"I am withdrawing my candidacy for supreme council member and supporting candidate Kim Yong, Kim Young-ho wrote. "I judged that this is a time when a decision of 'party first, self later' is needed, rather than increasing my own vote count, he said, adding that Kim Yong should be made a supreme council member to work with President Lee Jae-myung. He expressed hope his withdrawal would strengthen party unity and help the Democratic Party win public trust.