By Kim Sue-young
Staff reporter
On the first day of official campaigning Tuesday, independent presidential candidate Lee Hoi-chang sought to take a humble attitude unlike in the presidential election in 1997 and 2002 for which he unsuccessfully ran.
He started his official campaign at dawn by visiting the Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul.
The former Supreme Count judge said, ``The reason that I chose the market as the first destination of my campaign is because here people are working really hard,'' he told reporters. ``I wanted to start my campaign at the forefront of livelihood.''
He also visited Namdaemun Market and had lunch with vendors there while listening to their concerns. He then moved to Garak Agricultural and Fish Market and Dongdaemun Market.
Lee Hye-yeon, a spokeswoman for Lee, said that with a humble attitude he has been trying to mingle with grassroots people.
While running in previous presidential elections, he was often criticized for having lacked policies for the underprivileged due to his elite family background.
The independent candidate reiterated that he has learned many lessons from his past unsuccessful runs and has reflected on his arrogance.
He said he will serve the people with respect if elected president during a press conference a day earlier.
Meanwhile, he announced he started official campaign with about 1,000 supporters in front of the Namdaemun Gate while confirming his determination for regime change.
Citing national hero Yi Sun-shin, an admiral of the Joseon Kingdom who defeated Japanese invaders during Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea (1592-1598), he said that like Yi, he will be a leader to save the nation.
Former Grand National Party (GNP) Chairwoman Park Geun-hye's reported plan to join GNP candidate Lee Myung-bak's campaign soon has alerted the independent who left the conservative GNP earlier this month.
However, some supporters and confidants of Park have moved to his camp to support his campaign.
Professor Pyo Hak-kil of Seoul National University, who worked as an advisor for Park's economic pledges, is now serving as a policy advisor for the independent.
Also, about 300 supporters and former assistants of Park declared they will support Lee Hoi-chang.
Since the GNP nominee was allegedly involved in the stock manipulation case, an increasing number of GNP members are concerned that the former Seoul mayor may lose in the Dec. 19 election if he proves to be guilty, party sources said.