Chung Drops Presidential Bid
By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter
Former Seoul National University President Chung Un-chan said Monday that he has decided not to run in the Dec. 19 presidential election.
In a statement to put an end to his months-long undeclared bid, the Princeton-educated economist said he realized that he lacked in ability and other requirements needed to pursue the job. He had been floated as a potential presidential candidate to represent liberal groups.
``I am standing here to tell the people that I will not join the presidential race,’’ he said in a hastily arranged press conference. ``I don’t have the ability to build and lead a political party in real politics, while keeping principles that I’ve so far valued so preciously.’’
Reactions from political parties were different.
The main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) hailed the decision. ``It was a wise decision,’’ party spokesman Rep. Yoo Ki-jun said. ``It would be a greater contribution to the country if he indulges in academic and educational activities.’’
The pro-government Uri Party said although Chung’s exclusion is regrettable, its strategy is still available. Chong Wa Dae did not make any comment.
The minor opposition Democratic Party (DP) said Chung’s withdrawal showed the fragility of the Uri Party strategy relying on new star candidates.
While two presidential hopefuls of the GNP lead the early stage of the competition, Chung had been regarded as the one figure to represent the liberal camp who would rival the candidate from the conservative side.
Former Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak and former GNP Chairwoman Rep. Park Geun-hye, who are vying for the GNP’s ticket to run in the presidential race, enjoy the highest approval ratings in various opinion polls (nearly 70 percent when combined).
Chung’s exclusion is expected to leave the liberal camp eve more desperate. ``It is a pity that he’s decided not to join the race,’’ former Gyeonggi Governor Sohn Hak-kyu said right after Chung’s conference.
Sohn, a reformist who defected from the predominantly conservative GNP in March, sought to join forces with Chung since he has also been floated as a possible candidate of an ``anti-GNP’’ alliance pursued by the pro-government Uri Party and the small opposition Democratic Party.
Chung, coming from the country’s central Chungcheong region which often gave a ``casting vote’’ to the regionalism-driven South Korean politics, has been criticized for his indecisive attitude about his future plans.
Seemingly indulging in political calculations, he did not say clearly about his candidacy in the past months and has only been delaying his decision.
Close aides to Chung said he might have failed to narrow the gap between his identity as an intellectual who served as the head of the country’s most prestigious university and the values as a politician who should pursue supreme power in election politics.