‘Conservative Party Win Not Guaranteed’
Former Opposition Party Head Stresses Ending ‘Leftist Rule’
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
Lee Hoi-chang, who declared his third bid for presidency Wednesday, attributed the main reason for his joining the presidential race to conservatives' lack of confidence in Lee Myung-bak, presidential candidate of the Grand National Party (GNP).
Expressing anxiety about Lee Myung-bak's policy toward North Korea, the former GNP chairman said it will be difficult for conservatives to see a change of government _ from left to right if the GNP candidate represents the conservatives.
``I've found that Lee Myung-bak's position as a conservative has been ambiguous. He is poised to somewhat succeed the engagement policy (of the leftists),'' the 72-year-old said. ``This is the reason why I am running for the presidency.''
He also criticized the former Seoul mayor for putting his main priority on reviving the economy in his campaign pledges, saying a candidate's clear philosophy on the country's identity is what is most important.
``The idea that the country will go well as long as the power is handed over to leftists _ regardless of quality of the President _ is a dream and very risky,'' the independent said.
He insisted that a change of government without restoring the backbone of the country is meaningless.
``People feel very uneasy about the GNP nominee,'' he said. ``Should the standard-bearer fail to gain national confidence, the aspired change of government will be impossible.''
He also condemned Lee Myung-bak for not apologizing for his alleged involvement in relatives' irregular real estate trading and stock price manipulation, saying, ``People will not abandon a politician accused of personal improprieties if he admits his wrongdoings and seeks pardon.''
He also said the country saw the basic idea of the freedom democracy and market-based economy shaken over the past 10 years _ under the Kim Dae-jung administration and the Roh Moo-hyun government.
``The South Korea-United States alliance has fallen into crisis and the number of new jobs are decreasing,'' he said. ``There is no future for Korea if the regime keeps going this way.''
Reports have emerged that Park Geun-hye, who was defeated by Lee Myung-bak in the GNP primary race, Sim Dae-pyung, the presidential candidate of the People First Party (PFP), and former Seoul Mayor Goh Kun are considering forming an alliance with Lee Hoi-chang.