By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Rep. Kim Deog-ryong of the Grand National Party Monday expressed his support for presidential contender Lee Myung-bak in the party's nomination race scheduled for Aug. 19.
As Kim has a number of followers in the main opposition party, experts said his support for Lee would give considerable influence in the nomination campaign.
``President Roh Moo-hyun and his political allies are striving to make the leading presidential contender drop the presidential race. I thought it is time for me to act to protect Lee from the malicious political plot to topple him down in the presidential race,'' Kim told reporters.
A former Seoul mayor, Lee said at a news conference that he will do his best to get through the tough campaign environment along with Kim to win the December presidential race.
Earlier, media reports said Kim might support Lee's rival Park Geun-hye in the nomination race.
Kim said that he changed his mind after he had a meeting with the former Seoul mayor on July 12.
His support for Lee in the party nomination came after Chun Yu-ok, a former close aide of Park, joined the former Seoul mayor's camp.
Lee's camp said senior lawmaker Kim's joining the camp is a reflection that the chances for Lee's winning the GNP primaries are even higher than before.
His rival Park Geun-hye's camp declined to comment on Kim's support for Lee.