Ban's exit put conservative bloc in confusion
Hwang Kyo-ahn
By Kim Hyo-jin
The sudden withdrawal of former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from the presidential race has left the conservative bloc adrift with no outstanding candidate in opinion polls.
While acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is the only potential contender garnering double-digit support among conservative presidential hopefuls, he has remained silent over whether he will join the race, and this uncertainty is making minor candidates vie to expand their shares.
The ruling Saenuri Party, which has been an underdog in the burgeoning race due to the fallout of the presidential corruption scandal, is actively wooing Hwang to join the party.
Yoo Seong-min
In Myung-jin, the party leader said Thursday, “We’d like him to become our candidate if he is up for the race.” Rep. Hong Moon-jong said Friday, “Once he makes up his mind, his approval ratings will jump twice.”
At the same time, criticism is rising toward Hwang’s ambiguous attitude. Cho Jin-man, a political science professor at Duksung Women’s University, forecast that the longer he stays unclear, the worse influence it will have on the conservative bloc.
“If he sticks to so-called strategic ambiguity, it will deprive other conservative runners of a chance to gain momentum,” he said.
Rep. Yoo Seong-min, a presidential hopeful from the conservative Bareun Party, urged Hwang to clarify his intention, saying, “The public wants to go through a sufficient verification process for a candidate. He should quit the prime minister post now if he hopes to join the race.”
Kim Moo-sung
Yoo, who has the second-highest support rating among potential conservative contenders, said he would agree on a single conservative candidate with a Saenuri Party hopeful, if it comes up with one, to unite the conservative bloc.
Meanwhile, Ban dropping out also shed light on Rep. Kim Moo-sung and former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the Bareun Party, who earlier announced their intention not to run in the election.
“There are opinions in the party that Kim and Oh might have to reconsider their decision,” Rep. Joo Ho-young, the party’s floor leader, said. “For them, it might not be easy to overturn their earlier decision but their positions can be flexible if public calls grow.”
Oh Se-hoon
Kim, former Saenuri Party chairman, pulled out of the presidential race last year, saying he will take responsibility for the crisis in the conservative bloc triggered by President Park Geun-hye's corruption scandal. Oh gave up his bid in January, noting he was not ready for the top elected position.
The idea of Kim and Oh coming back came out of concerns that the party’s primary may fail to draw public attention and boost its presidential candidate. The Bareun Party had sought to either have Ban involved in the primary or join hands with him later.
Amid growing speculation, Kim confirmed his decision not to run in the race in a message sent to reporters.
“It has been reported that I might join the race, quoting my close aide. But I’d like to make sure such a remark is not based on consultation with me and there’s no change in my decision.”