Kim Doo-kwan, one of the main opposition Democratic United Party’s presidential hopefuls, resigned from his post as South Gyeongsang Province governor on Friday to run for the presidency, vowing to become “a bigger man” to pay back local residents.

“I am not leaving you or South Gyeongsang Province … Our society at present is faced with a desperately dangerous crisis of the Republic of Korea,” Kim said. He said he has chosen to take on the difficult path to create a different Korea and to become a leader that can communicate with the people.

Kim, who is often dubbed “Little Roh Moo-hyun,” served as home affairs minister during the Roh administration and became governor in 2010.

Kim is scheduled to announce his candidacy at Ttangkkeut Village in Haenam, South Jeolla Province on Sunday.

(jhl@heraldcorp.com)