Races in Seoul too close to call, parties say
Ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung, right, talks with main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea interim leader Kim Chong-in during a ceremony to mark the 68th anniversary of the Jeju Uprising at the April 3rd Peace Park on Jeju Island, Sunday. They paid respect to the victims of a brutal suppression of the popular 1948 uprising as part of their campaigns for the April 13 general election. / Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
Candidates from the ruling and opposition parties are neck-and-neck in most constituencies across Seoul, according to surveys released by the parties, Sunday.
The data collected shows that races in 32 out of 49 constituencies in Seoul are too close to call.
The ruling Saenuri Party claims to be dominant in seven districts while the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) says that it is leading in nine other constituencies.
The minor opposition People’s Party said Nowon C where its co-chairman Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo is running for re-election is the only sure bet.
The remaining 32 restricts are now up for grabs, with candidates from the ruling and opposition parties competing within margins of error.
Observers said that the recent factional strife within the Saenuri Party and opposition parties’ failure to join forces are creating a growing number of swing voters.
The eight districts in the combined area of Gangnam, Seocho and Songpa in southern Seoul have been a stronghold for the conservative Saenuri Party.
It, however, has not fielded a candidate in one of those districts — Songpa B — following a power struggle between loyalists of Park Geun-hye and party Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung.
Kim Moo-sung insisted on not nominating a candidate in Songpa B where Kim Young-soon, a pro-Park factional member, initially planned to run as a Saenuri Party candidate.
Kim Young-soon is making her parliamentary bid as an independent candidate.
The MPK said it is dominant in Yongsan, Dongdaemun B, Gangbuk B, Dobong A, Nowon B, Mapo A, Guro A, Guro B and Gwanak A.
The candidates there include high-profile figures such as Rep. Chin Young who is seeking re-election in Yongsan.
Chin, a former Saenuri Party member and also a former health and welfare minister under President Park, joined the MPK after the ruling party delayed to nominate him as its candidate in a bid to force him out.
“We believe the voters in Yongsan were tired seeing a power struggle in the Saenuri Party and is and decided to not support it,” a MPK official said.
Rep. Ahn, a former MPK member, is seeking re-election in Nowon B. He founded the People’s Party in February.