Sohn emerges as top opposition contender in Honam region

By Kim Hyo-jin

Sohn Hak-gyu

Sohn Hak-gyu, a former lawmaker of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), has emerged as the most preferred potential presidential candidate in the opposition strongholds of Gwangju and the Jeolla provinces, according to a recent poll, Monday.

Realmeter, a local pollster, put Sohn's support rating at 22.4 percent, topping the rest of his potential rivals.

He outpaced Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who garnered 20.5 percent. NPAD Chairman Moon Jae-in, who had been leading various nationwide surveys, slipped to third place with 19.4 percent. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the NPAD came in fourth with 18.6 percent.

The survey interviewed 1,000 respondents in Honam region, aged 19 and older, on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

Honam, referring to the southwestern region that encompasses Gwangju and North and South Jeolla Provinces, has traditionally been an opposition stronghold.

However, following the NPAD’s crushing defeat in the April 29 by-elections, the party and its leader Moon are losing ground amid deepening feuds between party factions.

Another survey, conducted by local newspaper The Gwangju Ilbo on Friday, showed 33.9 percent of 540 Gwangju citizens called on Moon to step down to take responsibility for the by-elections defeat. Also, 19.2 percent hoped the pro-Roh Moo-hyun faction would not dominate the party.

Sohn’s popularity in Honam drew much attention as it reflects a growing expectation about his role in the liberal camp.

Realmeter survey showed 30.6 percent of citizens in the region prefer Sohn to lead a movement toward a new party.

Sohn retired from politics last summer after the NPAD’s defeat in July’s parliamentary by-elections. The veteran politician went down to the southern city of Gangjin in South Jeolla Province and has shunned outside contact.

Despite his repeated denial, rumours of his potential political comeback have spread recently. Major opposition figures visited him when the party faced serious issues.

Rep. Moon Byeong-ho, categorized as a non-mainstreamer in the NPAD, welcomed Sohn’s possible comeback during a radio interview last week.

“Sohn’s come back is a welcome thing for the party as Moon has disappointed party members for showing a lack of leadership in the aftermath of the humiliating defeat in the by-elections,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sohn visited the cemetery of the victims of May 18 Democratization Movement, Sunday, a day before the 35th anniversary of a pro-democracy movement. He was accompanied by a small entourage, keeping a low profile.