Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo announced his presidential bid, becoming the fifth candidate to participate in the ruling Saenuri Party primary.

“I decided to not avoid my calling and shall serve the people to build an advanced unified country for them,” Kim said at the party headquarters on Thursday.

The right-wing party’s internal primary will thus be a five-way race, involving frontrunner Rep. Park Geun-hye, former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, former Presidential Chief-of-staff Yim Tae-hee and former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Tae-ho.

Kim, together with two other non-Park figures Reps. Chung Mong-jun and Lee Jae-oh, earlier gestured to veto the party primary unless the leadership changes the rules and adopts a fully open primary system.

He, however, pulled himself out of the triad and decided to join the presidential run.

“Korea is in need of a humble leader who would serve the people, instead of a self-righteous one who refuses to communicate with the people,” Kim said, alluding to Rep. Park.

He nevertheless pledged to support the former party chief, in case he fails to pass the party’s primary.

“I believe that my mission is to give out everything for the country, the people and the party,” the governor told reporters earlier in the day.

“I will back Rep. Park, if I fail to pass the primary.”

Kim also stressed his experience as lawmaker and governor.

“Never during my past three terms as a lawmaker and two terms as governor have I ruled over the people,” he said.

“As the longest-lived governor of Gyeonggi Province, where one quarter of our entire population resides, I have seen the potential of our country.”

He also pledged to create new jobs for the younger generation and to promote the economic freedom of corporations.

“Without sustainable growth and development, economic democratization and welfare would be impossible,” he said.

“I will alleviate the regulations which restrain corporate investments and thus boost job creation.”

The party is to hold its national convention on Aug. 20 to select a final presidential candidate for the December election.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)