Former GNP Presidential Candidate Gets 14 % in Poll

A two-time standard bearer of the major opposition Grand National Party who is rumored to be mulling another presidential bid currently holds a 14 percent support rating ahead of December's election, a local survey showed Friday.

The survey of 2,000 people was conducted by a local pollster in conjunction with the Seoul-based Buddism Broadcasting System (BBS) amid mixed reactions by the GNP and the pro-government camp on the possibility of Lee Hoi-chang announcing a third bid for the presidency.

The GNP fears that if Lee joins the race, he will eventually undermine support for the party's candidate Lee Myung-bak, a former Seoul mayor and CEO in Hyundai Group, who currently enjoys over 50 percent support in most public surveys.

Candidate Chung Dong-young of the pro-government United New Democratic Party (UNDP), however, might hope for another bid by Lee Hoi-chang as it may enhance his chances by splitting the conservative vote with Chung waging an uphill battle against the seemingly formidable GNP candidate.

Chung came second with slightly more than 20 percent support in the survey, while other minor candidates remained in single digits.

When Lee Hoi-chang ran as presidential candidate of the GNP in 2002, he received 46 percent of the vote, just behind the 48 percent for President Roh Moo-hyun. The largest-circulation daily Chosun Ilbo reported Monday that Lee would most likely declare his latest presidential bid in the near future, citing an unnamed party official.

Former Supreme Court justice Lee Hoi-chang has recently joined rallies critical of presidential candidates and Roh's engagement policy on North Korea.

Critics, however, claim Lee Hoi-chang might not run again in an effort to improve the chances of Lee Myung-bak, saying the former candidate owes a lot to the GNP due to his two previous presidential bids.