Han Myeong-sook
Former Prime Minister |
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Those running in the ruling Grand National Party's (GNP) primary to pick a candidate to run in the Seoul mayoral election have good reason to pay keen attention to a court ruling April 9.
The court will rule on the case of former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, who is on trial for allegedly taking $50,000 worth of bribes from a former president of Korea Express.
If Han is cleared of the charge, the GNP will likely be bracing for consequences.
The former prime minister is the most popular candidate among those who are preparing to run in the election on the main opposition Democratic Party's (DP) ticket.
Recent polls show support for Han is on the rise, hinting another surge in Han's numbers may come if she is found not guilty.
Earlier, the prosecution indicted Han on the charge of taking $50,000 in cash from Kwak Young-wook, ex-president of Korea Express, based on the latter's testimony.
In court, however, the business leader said that he had falsely testified regarding Han when he was questioned by prosecutors.
His statement hinted that the former prime minister, who was appointed to the post by the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, may be cleared of the charge.
This is the worst-case scenario for the GNP.
Polls suggest Han is the most viable potential candidate from the opposition camp to run in the mayoral race.
A recent MBN poll conducted in early March said incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon had support of 51 percent, and Han 31 percent. Oh is the most popular candidate among the four running in the GNP primary.
Another survey found no significant change in support for Oh, but that the figure for Han had risen sharply, compared to the survey a month ago.
Pollsters predicted that if Han is cleared of charges in April, there will be another rebound effect in her favor.
Political analysts said that the April 9 ruling, no matter what the result is, it will have effect on the GNP race.
Four candidates, including the incumbent mayor Oh, are vying for the GNP ticket. The remaining three are Reps. Won Hee-ryong, Na Kyung-won and Kim Choong-whan.
If Han is found not guilty and runs in the mayoral race on the DP ticket, the GNP will want to select the candidate best equipped to shield the party from the ``Han effect,'' GNP insiders say.
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