The election of former presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo and two ruling party political heavyweights in Wednesday’s by-elections raises the possibility that a political realignment may be in store in the run-up to local elections in June next year. Or it may come earlier, ahead of other by-elections scheduled for October.
In any case, Ahn, the software mogul-turned-politician, will be at the center of the looming political reorganization in the liberal camp, given people’s ― especially young voters’ ― steadfast support for him. There seem to be three options for him ― creating his own party, joining the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) or remaining independent.
The key question is whether he can show capability and qualifications as a new political leader to realize what he promised under the catchphrase of ``new politics.’’ True, the 51-year-old former Seoul National University professor disappointed many of his supporters who sought an alternative to the nation’s deep-seated do-or-die political climate by bowing out of the December presidential race.
Given this, he needs to drop his unique vagueness on pending issues and present his own clear-cut vision for the future, and concrete action plans to be a bona fide presidential contender. His role as a stimulant to the political establishment can’t be underestimated, considering that both the ruling and opposition parties have dragged their feet on their commitment to political renovation.
Needless to say, the DUP is the biggest loser of the latest by-elections as it failed to produce even a single winner. The opposition party will have to pay heed to warnings that its survival could be endangered, depending on how the looming restructuring progresses. The DUP must be aware that its future can’t be guaranteed without game-changing self-renovation.
The just-ended by-elections’ impact on President Park Geun-hye and her administration is limited, given that the polls came too early and her governing party produced satisfactory results. But the victory of Kim Moo-sung, one of Park’s key associates, in Busan also hints at a power restructuring inside the ruling camp. Kim, a former floor leader, is seen as a strong contender to be the next chairman of the Saenuri Party. Former South Chungcheong Province Governor Lee Wan-koo is also expected to solidify his status in the ruling party with his strong influence in the provincial region.
Though the elections are over, voters’ aspirations for political renovation have not vanished. In this regard, our political leaders will have to get a clear picture of the public’s wishes as shown in the elections and fulfill their promises to improve people’s livelihoods.