By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Chung Dong-young, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2007 presidential election as a candidate of the Democratic Party (DP), declared a bid to run in the April 29 by-elections, Friday.
Political observers say a victory would have substantial implications for the future governance of the DP because he controlled the party's majority faction.
They, however, forecast that it will be an uphill battle for the former unification minister to win the hearts of the DP selection committee because many of them expressed skeptical views about his running in the DP stronghold district in a closed door meeting held this week.
In a press conference in Washington D.C., Chung, who lost the 2007 election by 5.3 million votes, told Korean correspondents that he was determined to restart his political career in his political hometown of Jeonju, in North Jeolla Province.
``Back in 1996, I started my political career as a lawmaker there. My heart was beating pleasantly from excitement at the time. I will go back there to run in the election,'' said the former unification minister.
Voters will choose five legislators in districts across the nation ― one in Incheon, one in Gyeongju, two in Jeonju and one in Ulsan ― and one mayor will be selected as well.
Campaign watchers say election results will indicate public perception of President Lee's first-year performance.
The elections take place at a time when inter-Korean relations are worsening and the economy worsens month-after-month.
Chung went to the United States last year as a visiting scholar at Duke University, N.C., shortly after his unsuccessful bid in the National Assembly elections in the Dongjak district of Seoul.
Rep. Chung Mong-joon of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) won the election by a double-digit margin.
Inside the DP, there are hardliners who oppose Chung's return to politics through the by-elections in its stronghold district.
These critics say Chung is undeserving of running again because he was defeated twice in a row ― in the 2007 presidential election by a landslide margin to incumbent President Lee Myung-bak and in last year's National Assembly election.
Chung admitted that he knew there was criticism inside the opposition party regarding his seeking the election as a DP candidate, but that he would weather it, insisting there is a role that he can play to help the party gain more support.
DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun, who previously expressed disagreement with the former unification minister's plan to run in the April election, did not give his forthright opinion on the matter.
The DP leader, instead, stated that all key post holders should put the party first, ahead of their personal interest.
Political analysts translated his remarks as an indirect veto of the former presidential candidate's running in the election.
The main opposition party formed a selection committee aimed at reviewing the qualifications of candidates, and members will select them for approval by those on the supreme council.
Experts say the lineup will be completed in early April.