Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at the finance desk of The Korea Times, focuses primarily on economic policy and government agencies, mainly covering the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the National Tax Service and the Korea Customs Service. She previously covered financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, and earlier worked on the political, city and business desks, reporting on a wide range of issues.
3-way battle at Saenuri for Seoul mayoral race
By Jun Ji-hye
Seven term lawmaker Chung Mong-joon and former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik are expected to compete in the ruling Saenuri Party’s primary race to select a candidate to stand for Seoul mayor in the June 4 local elections.
Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, vice floor leader of the ruling party, said Thursday, “The three big names are expected to run in the primary for Seoul mayor.”
The three referred to are Chung, Kim and Lee Hye-hoon, a member of the governing party’s six-member Supreme Council who earlier announced her official bid.
Chung and Kim have signaled that they are seriously considering running for the Seoul mayoral race, but have yet to make official announcements.
Speaking at a council meeting, Yoon said, “The governing party expects the primary to be an incredible match as the three are all respectable and influential figures.”
Yoon added, “The ruling party will be able to secure victory in the elections only when great figures do not avoid challenges.”
The party leaders including Chairman Rep. Hwang Woo-yea have made efforts to persuade Chung and Kim to stand for Seoul mayor.
The party expects that the primary in which such influential figures will compete will attract public interest, and that this could help avert a reelection bid by current Mayor Park Woon-soon of the main opposition Democratic Party.
Mayor Park is holding a comfortable lead over other potential candidates from the ruling party and independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo’s new party, which will be launched around March.
Chairman Hwang on Wednesday had a closed door meeting with the seven-term lawmaker, the son of late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung, to ask him to run in the mayoral race.
Emerging from a meeting that ran about 20 minutes, Rep. Chung told reporters: “Hwang asked me if I have any intention to stand in the local elections and I told him that I will make a decision without delay.”
He added that, if necessary, he will work on tasks to increase welfare services for Seoul citizens, indicating he is favorably looking into the party’s request.
Hwang also plans to meet Former Prime Minister Kim soon to receive his decision before Kim leaves for the United States next Wednesday.
Kim is said to have already made a determination to run for the race.
“Kim has held high approval ratings in the opinion polls. The party’s efforts to recruit him are a matter of course,” said an official from the ruling party.
However, he added there is a possibility that one of the two could make a concession because being beaten in the primary race might be a political burden for both of them.