By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Former Gyeonggi Governor Sohn Hak-kyu, who topped the cutoff race of the pro-government United New Democratic Party (UNDP), taught political science at Inha University in Incheon and Sogang University in Seoul for about six years.
Sohn, 60, started his political career in 1992 when he was first elected to the 14th National Assembly.
The three-term lawmaker served as minister of health and welfare from 1996-1997 and governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2002-2006.
Despite his good score in the preliminary race, his previous affiliation with the conservative Grand National Party (GNP) is likely to hinder him in the primary race slated for Oct. 15.
He defected from the GNP to which he had belonged for 15 years on March 15, which drew criticism from both the GNP and the UNDP.
Also, his relatively weak support base within the party will likely hold him back in the nominee race, political observers said.