Kangin's statement:

 "Hello. This is Kangin. It's really been a long time since I've delivered news to you all. My heart is heavy as the news I have is not good news, but after a long debate, I am writing to you.

As of this moment, I plan to let go of the name "Super Junior", a name I had for a very long time.

I've felt nothing but feelings of apology toward my members.

I've always felt that I needed to come to this decision as soon as possible, but due to the kind hearts of those who cheer me on unchangingly as well as my label's staff despite my faults, I was not able to summon the courage, and I also felt that I was not in a situation where I could decide anything blindly on my own.

However, due to my own problems, I had to watch my members suffer misfortunes that they should have had to face, and I have come to the decision that I cannot delay it any longer.

More than anything, I am full of apology toward E.L.F for the overflowing love that you always sent me for the past 14 years.

This may be too late, but even as I let go of the name "Super Junior" and begin walking on my own, I will always remember these feelings of gratitude and apology.

I want to sincerely thank you, to my members and my label's staff for respecting me until the end.

I will cheer for the success of Super Junior forever. Thank you."

The news was confirmed by the Super Junior's label under SM Entertainment. 

Label SJ stated," Kangin has decided to withdraw from Super Junior on his own decision, and we will respect his intentions. He still has time left on his exclusive contract with us though."

Leaving is never easy, especially when you have made a family relationship. The experiences you shared together and the foundation that you built as a member will make it hard to come up with a decision. You will miss your friends and the conversations you had together. But real friends will understand and support your decision. True friends never forget despite the distance. Life is hard and full of difficult choices. Life goes on and we have to keep moving forward.