The Korea Times

DUP explores ways for survival after election

By Jun Ji-hyeThe opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) is exploring ways to tackle the aftereffects of the election defeat through realigning the liberal camp.Members are voicing the need to expand the party apparatus to accommodate the 14.67 million people who voted for Moon Jae-in during the Dec. 19 poll ― equivalent to about 48 percent of the total ― but do not necessarily support the party.Toward this end, the party is seeking to become a “pan-national party.” Moon also pledged efforts to create such a party, saying “I will play my role if needed, despite the result of the presidential poll,” Friday.Moon added that he now understood the DUP’s limitations in achieving government change and new politics.Kwun Hyuk-ki, a DUP official, told The Korea Times, Sunday, “Some party members share the need for the establishment of a pan-national party.”Some say the best scenario would be if the party could attract former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo; but most experts express skepticism over Ahn joining the DUP.“There are man

Dec 23, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Politics

What's the next step for Ahn?

By Jun Ji-hye Ahn Cheol-sooAhn Cheol-soo was one of the biggest variables in the presidential election and what steps he will take following the poll is attracting keen attention. The software mogul-turned-politician’s next step is expected to emerge as one of the major factors determining the political landscape of the post-election period.Although Ahn failed to help Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party beat Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party, he proved his influence during the election.Political watchers agree that Ahn will continue to command a stronger presence in the political scene.Analysts mostly say that Park’s election will not strike a blow to Ahn. He will hardly be blamed for the opposition’s defeat. Rather, there are greater possibilities that more people will blame Moon and the incompetence of the DUP.Myongji University politics professor Shin Yul said, “With Park’s victory, many will hold Roh Moo-hyun factions responsible for the defeat, and at the same time those factions will seek to keep a firmer grip within the DUP and

Dec 20, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Politics

Election sets new standards

By Jun Ji-hyeThe 18th presidential election introduced some new provisions to expand people’s political rights and ensure greater fairness.The overseas ballot was introduced, enabling more people to vote, including sailors on ships that were permitted to establish polling stations.The first overseas votes in the presidential poll took place between Dec. 5 and 10 in 110 countries. According to the National Election Commission (NEC), some 220,000 Koreans abroad registered as overseas voters and the final turnout reached 71.2 percent.The overseas vote was initially introduced for the first time in the nation’s history during the April 11 National Assembly elections, but turnout then was just 45.7 percent.The sharp increase reflected the high interest of voters in the neck and neck race between Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party and Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party (DUP).Absentee ballots for fishermen and people serving in the navy were also provided for the first time too, with a remarkable 93.8 percent final turnout. According to the election watchdog, 6,61

Dec 19, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Politics

Unique pledges abound for turnout

By Jun Ji-hyeCandidates and their campaigners have come up with seemingly unique pledges to woo supporters ahead of today’s presidential election.Noted liberal figures made diverse pledges to the public as part of efforts to raise the turnout of voters.Cho Kuk, a law professor at Seoul National University (SNU), initially pledged to walk up all the stairs of a 63-story landmark building in Yeouido last week. But he changed his plan on Tuesday to conduct 77 big bows along with Ahn Kyung-hwan, SNU professor and head of Moon’s new politics committee.Appearing at CBS radio, Cho said, “I cannot let him do such a thing alone. I changed my plan and will do it with him.”Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon pledged to sing at Seoul City Hall Square. He posted on his Twitter account on Monday, “If you wonder how well I sing, please vote on Dec. 19.”Entertainers also joined making unique promises regarding voter turnout.A comedy-singing group “Brave Guys” that star on KBS “Gag Concert” vowed to sing at a wedding for 70 couples for free if the per

Dec 18, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Politics

Key aides embarrass candidates

By Kang Hyun-kyung Chung Dong-young Kim Moo-sungSenior members within the election campaigns of Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party, and Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) are facing criticism due to a string of gaffes made in recent public statements.Their poorly chosen words have embarrassed the two leading presidential candidates, who are desperate to gain last-minute votes and are wary that last-minute factors could influence the outcome of the Wednesday ballot.On Monday, the Park and the Moon camps asked their aides and campaign staff to watch their tongues and behavior so as not to ruin their boss’s presidential chances in the final stages of the race.Chung Dong-young, an advisor to Moon and a former presidential candidate in 2007, triggered controversy for tweeting contentious quotes from fiction writer Seo Hae-sung, that were published in the Hankyoreh newspaper. “In this election, every young voter’s ballot counts. Their future is up to their voting. Vote for the sake of yourselves. Don’t let old cran

Dec 17, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Politics

Ahn plans to leave for US after election

By Jun Ji-hye Ahn Cheol-sooFormer independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo will leave for the U.S. right after casting his vote, Wednesday, Yoo Min-young, a spokesman for the software mogul-turned-politician said Monday.“Ahn will stay in the U.S. for about one to two months once the election is over. He won’t engage in any public events during his stay there. It is to straighten up his thoughts while taking a rest,” Yoo said.With Ahn yet to specify details, a slew of speculation is already rising over his plans during his stay in America, including whether he will create a new political party. Some pundits speculate that he might also consider whether to run for the National Assembly in a by-election.Regarding Ahn’s plans, Heo Young, one of his secretaries, said, “Regardless of the result of the poll, Ahn will see which way the wind is blowing and will draw up plans for new politics.”  After having dinner with Ahn last week, his former campaign aides quoted the 50-year-old as saying, “Specific ideas on new politics need to b

Dec 17, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Politics

Which color will shine?

Presidential candidates seek to polish image, appeal to voters with colorsBy Jun Ji-hyeAt 11:20 p.m. on Nov. 6, the Empire State Building in New York was bathed in blue light. American citizens immediately noted Barack Obama’s victory for a second term.CNN used color and the skyscraper to project election results all night by displaying two columns of lights, one blue and the other red. Blue represented Obama and the Democratic Party, while red was associated with Mitt Romney of the Republican Party.It’s not much different in the Korean political scene which has turned colorful during the run-up to the presidential election. Not only candidates but their supporters are wearing clothing and scarves in colors representing their respective parties, with the ruling Saenuri Party adopting red, and the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) a mix of yellow and green.“Color is a powerful, visual language indicating identities that gives receivers instinctive and impromptu perception on subjects. So it is an effective tool to show people which concept and image the p

Dec 17, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Politics

Lee Hee-ho calls some “DJ” men turncoats

By Jun Ji-hye Lee Hee-hoFormer first ladyLee Hee-ho, the widow of late President Kim Dae-jung, expressed her disappointment at some of Kim’s former aides for openly supporting the ruling Saenuri Party’s Park Geun-hye, describing them as “turncoats.”Park Jie-won, floor leader of the Democratic United Party (DUP), quoted Lee on Friday as saying, “How could people like them who experienced the Yushin regime decide to support Park? Such turncoats always emerge when elections are looming.”    Her remarks refer to some former “DJ” men, including Han Kwang-ok, Kim Kyung-jae and Han Hwa-gap, who recently announced their support for the daughter of late President Park Chung-hee who was the political nemesis of late liberal President Kim during the authoritarian 1970s.  Appearing at CBS radio, floor leader Park, who served as chief of staff to the late Kim, said that Lee asked him to do his best to help Moon Jae-in, the DUP’s candidate.The DUP floor leader quoted Lee as saying, “As long as God exists, Park who

Dec 14, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Lee Hee-ho calls some “DJ” men turncoats

Politics

Polls show gap significantly tightens

The Dec. 19 presidential election appears to be statically too close to call. Now, it is up to candidates Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in to better appeal to voters over the next seven days. The above photo is the result of two combined — supporters for Park at left and Moon at right — during their respective campaigns, Thursday. The purpose is to show that every single voter can make a difference in the election. / YonhapBy Jun Ji-hyeWith just days before the Dec. 19 presidential election, the race between Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in is becoming too close to call.Park, the ruling Saenuri Party candidate enjoyed a lead outside the statistical margin of error in some polls a few days ago. However, the latest polls show either her lead gone or Moon, the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) candidate, taking over.From today, the disclosure of opinion polls is banned.What will happen during this statistical dark period is anybody’s guess.Is it going to be an upset victory for Moon or a down to the wire win for Park?The problem is that opinion polls have lost a

Dec 13, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

People & Events

Female stationmaster adding cultural flavor to Seoul Station

Kim Yang-sookBy Jun Ji-hyeKim Yang-sook, who was tapped as the first female stationmaster of Seoul Station in its 112 year history, is moving to upgrade the station facilities and make it a place where passengers enjoy more cultural events.She is leading renovation projects to make the nation’s largest railroad station more appealing to visitors, with her colleagues fully supporting her. “She is a calm person and sometime sentimental. But once she starts working, she becomes a real mover and shaker,” said Park Doo-ho, one of her coworkers who is a director of the Management and Human Resources Department at the Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail). “It was a big thing that she became the first female leader of the station as men tended to dominate the railroad sector so far,” Park said. “Nobody opposed her appointment because everyone knew that she was the right person thanks to her rich experience in public relations and culture.”  He said everyone at Korail was satisfied with her performance so far ― she assumed the leade

Dec 12, 2012By Jun Ji-hye

Jun Ji-hye

Read more

DUP explores ways for survival after election

What's the next step for Ahn?

Election sets new standards

Unique pledges abound for turnout

Key aides embarrass candidates

Ahn plans to leave for US after election

Which color will shine?

Lee Hee-ho calls some “DJ” men turncoats

Polls show gap significantly tightens

Female stationmaster adding cultural flavor to Seoul Station

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