Two of South Korea's political heavyweights who unsuccessfully ran in the 2002 and 2007 presidential elections will likely face off against each other in the upcoming parliamentary elections, officials said Saturday.
Chung Mong-joon, the largest shareholder of Hyundai Heavy Industries, is seeking to run for a parliamentary seat representing Seoul's Dongjak district on the ruling Grand National Party (GNP)'s ticket, competing with Rep. Chung Dong-young of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
The GNP made the sudden decision to replace Rep. Lee Koon-hyon, its former nominee for Dongjak, following its rival's move to place Chung Dong-young as its candidate in the region.
Chung Dong-young, who unsuccessfully ran in the December presidential election on the UDP ticket, retains considerable political influence -- especially among the country's progressive younger voters -- as a former unification minister who served under the liberal administration of then President Roh Moo-hyun.
The GNP's Chung Mong-joon competed with Roh in 2002 presidential election.
"I believe that I must make a decision after considering what is best not only for the party, but also for the country," Chung told reporters on Saturday. "I will make my decision known to the public by next week after giving the suggestion thought over the weekend."
Chung Mong-joon, the chairman of the Korea Football Association, was answering reporters after returning home from his visit to the general meeting of the Federation Internationale de Football Association in Switzerland.
Chung Mong-joon, who is also the chairman of the Korea Football Association, was scheduled to return home later in the day after visiting Switzerland to attend the general meeting of the Federation Internationale de Football Association.
"The GNP's move shows how much of a threat Chung Dong-young poses to the party," said Rep. Park Young-sun of the UDP, who is close to Chung Dong-young. "We are not too concerned about Chung
Mong-joon running in the region, as we have expected the GNP to come up with its strongest card to tackle Chung Dong-young."
Polls show that many voters in Seoul and elsewhere still do not favor the liberal opposition party, which shares its roots with the unpopular former President Roh, who stepped down in February. Critics say the Roh government mishandled the economy and North Korea policy.
Despite a slight dip, the ruling GNP is still holding onto a public support rating of over 50 percent, compared to the UDP's 15 percent, according to recent surveys.
But liberal candidates defeated the GNP candidates by more than 10 percentage points in the past two parliamentary elections, signaling a tough battle for the two Chungs.
(Yonhap)