By Jun Ji-hye
With less than a month to go before the Dec. 19 presidential elections, the three candidates are expected to pull the heartstrings of the public in a bid to sway undecided voters.
Watchers, citing past precedent, said Wednesday it is imperative for the candidates not only to make their campaign pledges clear but inspire voters with a compelling personal narrative.
Such tactics come into play as the camps will launch televised campaigns after the deadline of candidate registration next Monday.
The watchers pointed to the campaign of late president Roh Moo-hyun, who is credited with inspiring voters to his side through advertisements such as the “Tears of Roh Moo-hyun” which grabbed the attention of many.
Televised debates may also provide the candidates a chance to project their personalities, though Park Geun-hye of the conservative ruling Saenuri Party has yet to commit to such a meeting.
“The candidates’ ability to stimulate viewer sentiment will decide the winner,” Choi Jin, head of the Institute of Presidential Leadership said. “Voters are less likely to be swayed by the politicians’ strenuous assertion of their stances” than by their personal stories.
Experts say this is the case especially in this election, where two candidates ― independent Ahn Cheol-soo and Democrat Moon Jae-in ― are vying to head the liberal ticket with similar platforms.
The candidates have already moved to capture the hearts and minds of the voters.
In some occasions, liberal frontrunners have already attempted to whip up the people’s emotions.
Moon got teary-eyed in September during a meeting with workers fired by Ssangyong Motor and their families. In 2009, the company attempted to lay off 2,646 workers, who continue to strike for their reinstatement.
Ahn has attempted to reach the public largely through powerful rhetoric, according to campaign watchers.
When he declared his presidential bid in September, he quoted the phrase “The future is already here, it's just not very evenly distributed,” made by American novelist William Ford Gibson. The message fell in line with Ahn’s “change and renovation” slogan.
It remains to be seen how the two liberals will conclude their negotiations to field a unified candidate.
Park, the candidate has tried to appeal to sentiment of female voters and young people.
On Sunday, Park danced to entertainer Psy’s wildly-famous song “Gangnam Style” with young supporters in an effort to gain support from the younger generation, seen as a week point.
She pledged to strengthen punishments for sexual assaults Tuesday when attending a preview of the film “Don’t Cry Mommy,” which is about a sex crime against a female high school student. Park has repeatedly stressed the need for the nation to have its first female president and foster better conditions for women.
“We will emotionally deliver Park’s warm image as a prepared female president to the public,” said a ruling party official, asking for anonymity.