DP Fears Loss on Home Turf
2 Bigwigs Who Left Party Pose Threat to Party Nominees in Jeonju Districts
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Democratic Party (DP) leaders hurried Thursday to block the rise of independents in campaigns for the April 29 by-elections in the party stronghold of Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. They also worry that a scandal involving former President Roh Moo-hyun's family may deal a blow to the party.
They fear the simultaneous occurrence of the two events can create what they call a ``perfect storm" that may ultimately lead to DP losses in both the Deokjin and Wansan districts.
To avoid their worst nightmare, DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun appealed to supporters to unify and vote for the DP candidates, not independents, on the first day of 13 days of campaigning Thursday.
In a related move, Rep. Choi Jae-sung said two independents, ex-Unification Minster Chung Dong-young and former spy agency chief Shin Kuhn, were responsible for dividing the pro-DP vote.
Chung and Shin, who bolted from the party, are running in Deokjin and Wansan, respectively, posing a formidable threat to the main opposition party. Five lawmakers, one mayor and seven city council members will be elected in the by-elections there and in other districts.
``I should admit that we fear unfavorable election results due to the two independent candidates,'' said Choi.
``We feel pressure not because we could lose the two campaigns in the stronghold region but because of the possible devastating effects of their running in the elections on the party afterwards,'' he added.
Chung blamed DP leaders for the division, saying they did not listen to what party supporters said in their candidate selection and they deserved the consequences.
Chung and Shin reportedly formed an alliance of independents to stand against the DP and to achieve sweeping wins in the Jeonju campaign.
Under the collaboration paln, they were seeking coordinated efforts to corner close aides of Roh, their rivals in the campaigns, by linking them to the former President, who allegedly received money from a businessman.
They also reportedly plan to highlight DP Chairman Chung for his vetoing of the former unification minister in the party's selection of candidates to run in the elections.
Former spy chief Shin, however, denied the report, saying he and Chung have been close for many years, but never discussed forming a coalition in an effort to put the DP in trouble.
Shin told reporters that he decided to join the race mainly because he was so disturbed by close aides of Roh who flexed their muscles in the selection of candidates to run in the elections.
Shin's rival, Lee Kwang-chol, the DP pick, is a close aide of Roh.
``Roh's aides ruined the Deokjin district by choosing the wrong candidate after eliminating Chung. They also tried to put Wansan under their control. I thought I should stand up against their scheme,'' Shin said.
Chung and Shin pledged to rejoin the DP after winning the election.
However, party leaders said they would not allow them back on board even if they win the race.
Local campaign watchers say there are signs indicating local residents are showing sympathy for Chung after his strong presentation during a press conference after leaving the DP last week.
Chung, who had been a member of the liberal party for 13 years since he began his political career in 1996, had to stop his speech on several occasions to hold back tears.
Campaign watchers say the former minister's touching presentation may play a role in unifying his supporters. Polls conducted late March say he is leading the race by a wide margin.