Ban Ki-moon's exit may boost PM's chances

By Kim Rahn

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s exit from the presidential race is likely to place acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn as the strongest conservative presidential candidate.

According to a poll released by Research & Research, Wednesday, Ban had support of 13.1 percent, far behind Moon Jae-in, the leading presidential hopeful from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), with 32.8 percent.

Among potential candidates from the conservative bloc, Hwang ranked second with 8.3 percent. Even though his approval rating is not high compared to other candidates, it has increased from 5.4 percent before the Lunar New Year.

Hwang garnered such support although he has not officially announced his bid to run in the election _ he has neither confirmed, nor denied it. He only said in a recent press conference, “What I’m doing and thinking now is to make every effort to overcome domestic and international difficulties and stabilize state affairs as the acting president.”

But increasing expectations for his presidential bid, he has actively carried out state affairs, including phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, and met people from various sectors as presidential contenders usually do.

As there are no other big-name conservative hopefuls for now, many of Ban’s supporters, mostly conservative voters, may opt for Hwang, pushing up his approval rating. The ruling Saenuri Party had been trying to bring Ban into the party as a potential candidate, but is recently turning its eyes on Hwang.

“For conservatives, Hwang has shown conservative values, as seen by his previous decision to disband the Unified Progressive Party as justice minister,” political analyst Hwang Tae-soon said earlier.

However, considering Hwang has been the No. 2 in the country under the Park Geun-hye administration, and has been criticized by some for sharing the responsibility for her failures, some Ban supporters who wished for political reform may avoid Hwang. It is yet to be seen whether they will choose liberal candidates such as Moon, South Chungcheong Province Governor An Hee-jung or Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, or rather seek third-party candidates.

Considering most other candidates remain at single-digit support ratings, Moon may consolidate his lead as the liberal candidate. But some expect, because Ban was a Chungcheong region-based hopeful, An may attract voters from the region.

Others say Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor opposition People’s Party may emerge as a representative of the “middle-of-the-road bloc” of voters who do not prefer both extreme conservative and liberal sectors.

Internet users also showed mixed forecasts. A blogger, ye****, said, “Ban’s approval rating may go to Hwang,” while another, garg****, said, “Now Ahn will benefit,” and another user, leejong***, said, “As Ban is bowing out, Moon’s support rating will go over 50 percent.”

In the poll, Moon garnered the highest support at 32.8 percent, followed by Ban with 13.1 percent; Lee, 10.5 percent; An, 9.1 percent; Hwang, 8.3 percent; and Ahn, 7.6 percent.