Former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik announced on Wednesday he will not contest the upcoming August party leadership election. Woo cited increasing internal conflict and division within the party as the primary reason for his decision. He expressed difficulty in continuing to observe the escalating and increasingly heated competition for party leadership. This move comes as the race for the party’s top position intensifies, with several candidates already vying for support. Woo’s withdrawal is expected to reshape the dynamics of the election and potentially influence the outcome. He did not elaborate on specific disputes fueling the division, but his statement signals significant concerns about the party’s internal cohesion. The decision aims to potentially de-escalate tensions and encourage a more unified approach within the party.