Translation result. 
[Herald Economy=Senior Reporter Park Jong-il] Kim Seong-jun, the Democratic Party’s preliminary candidate for Geumcheon District mayor, apologized on April 24 for the harm caused to candidate Choi Ki-chan and his supporters by a false tip he provided.
He said he had verified the facts behind the allegations he raised on April 21, undergone an internal review, followed the party’s procedures, and offered an apology.
Kim’s campaign drew attention after it asked news outlets to remove any articles about the allegations following two press releases issued under his name on April 21 (sent at 12:43 and 17:54).
Critics have called the move hasty and ill-considered.
A Geumcheon District official criticized the episode, saying, “It does not seem like a trivial matter that the ruling party’s preliminary candidate issued a press release about unconfirmed allegations of offering money, then apologized and asked the media to delete the articles.”
Meanwhile, Kim congratulated Choi on his victory and apologized again for the damage his erroneous report caused Choi and his supporters.
He urged supporters to set aside personal feelings and unite under the Democratic Party, and announced his immediate entry into a unified “one-team” effort.
“Geumcheon’s future cannot be put on hold,” he said. “Setting aside minor differences, I will stand with Choi Ki-chan in the broader pursuit of a ‘Geumcheon Democratic Party victory.’ We will demonstrate the strength of a united Democratic Party by winning the main election.”
With this announcement, Kim will join the campaign committee. He said he intends to serve as a “melting pot” for unity—going beyond a formal alliance to help consolidate supporters behind Choi.
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