Opposition to field one candidate in Gimhae
By Kim Se-jeong
Opposition parties are expected to field a unified candidate in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province for the April 27 by-elections, after the proposed Democratic Party (DP) candidate accepted Wednesday the People’s Participation Party’s nomination method.
Kwak Jin-up, a DP candidate and a former tax officer, said at a press conference, “Consolidating minor candidates is a must to win the seat in Gimhae, therefore I’ll accept the PPP’s idea of choosing a candidate through a public survey.”
The PPP, led by Chairman Rhyu Si-min, had proposed that the two parties conduct an opinion poll to decide between its candidate Lee Bong-soo and Kwak, and then field the winner. The cooperative deal came after prolonged negotiations between the two parties.
The DP had favored a primary election.
“A similar situation occurred during the 2002 presidential campaign when the then-candidate Roh Moo-hyun had to make a difficult decision to consolidate minor candidates. And today, I embrace the late former President Roh’s spirit.”
Gimhae, Roh’s hometown, has been a stronghold for liberals. But any opposition candidate must compete against powerful ruling Grand National Party candidate, Kim Tae-ho.
Kim, 48, is a former governor of South Geyongsang Province.
In Bundang B district and Gangwon Province where the upcoming elections will select a lawmaker and a governor respectively, candidates have begun campaigning.
In Bundang B, DP Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu is up against Kang Jae-sup, the former GNP chairman. In Gangwon Province, two former MBC presidents Ohm Ki-young of the GNP and Choi Moon-soon of the DP are running against each other.
Within the GNP critics have found their voice.
Rep. Chung Mong-joon, former chairman of the GNP, said Monday, “The party found itself in an identity crisis during the nomination process.”
Rep. Nam Kyung-pil also said the majority party slowly lost its ground among conservatives as the party doesn’t adhere to its ultimate mandate, which is to stand for the benefits of the people, not the party.