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Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) responds to a cheering crowd at the Universiade Stadium in Kwangju Women's University in Gwangju, Monday, after winning the party's first primary in the Jeolla region for the presidential election. From left are Goyang City Mayor Choi Sung, Moon, Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung and South Chungcheong Gov. An Hee-jung. / Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun |
By Choi Ha-young
GWANGJU ― Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) scored a landslide victory in the party's first primary in the Jeolla region, paving his way to become the nominee of the largest parliamentary party, Monday.
The leading contender gained 60.2 percent in the liberals' traditional stronghold, followed by South Chungcheong Gov. An Hee-jung with 20 percent, and Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung with 19.4 percent, according to poll results released at 6:50 p.m.
The results from the region, the biggest liberal support base that includes Gwangju, and the South and North Jeolla provinces are considered a barometer for the party's entire primary. Moon's overwhelming victory there raises his chances of winning the party's ticket for the presidential election slated for May 9; possibly without a run-off race.
"Thanks to Jeolla voters who gave me a landslide victory," Moon told reporters. "I'll firmly achieve a change in political power, in line with our supporters' wishes."
Moon's lead was overwhelming in all polls ― 65.2 percent in on-site votes; 59.9 percent in telephone voting; and 75 percent in DPK representatives' votes.
Both An and Lee were looking for unexpected victories in the area, which ex-President Roh Moo-hyun achieved in 2002 with less than support of 10 percent nationwide.
Moon's victory in the first regional primary could be the result of a strategic choice by Jeolla residents ― voting for the person with the highest possibility of election. Many Gwangju residents supported Moon, even though they favored other minor candidates.
"I personally back An. Many people around me are not a fan of Moon, but they are likely to vote for him because his poll numbers are over 40 percent," college student Lee So-hee, 23, told The Korea Times.
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Outside the polling venue, many citizens had already made up their minds. While many young people were generally supportive of Moon, middle-aged people were not fully sure about his capacity to beat the conservatives in the presidential election.
"I think An is more competent, but will vote for Moon, because he is most likely to become the candidate of the DPK," office worker Cho Ok-hwan, 58, said.
Voters in the Jeolla provinces have been traditionally loyal to the DPK, but they chose the People's Party in the general election last April as a warning to the DPK's "indifference." From the beginning of this year, Moon has struggled to regain their support.
"I apologize for Jeolla residents' frustrations and anger following the 2012 presidential election. I've repeatedly vowed not to disappoint Jeolla voters," Moon said during a speech before the ballot.
Under the slogan of "Prepared President," he boasted that he is the only person who has already undergone verification through many elections. "I desperately call for an overwhelming victory in the primary for an overwhelming final victory," he said.
A total of 236,358 people participated in the regional primaries, including 222,439 through telephone voting; 12,524 through on-site voting at 250 booths; and the 1,395 party representatives who made appearances Monday.
Non-party members completed their votes via telephone over the last weekend or in on-site vote held last Wednesday.
To court strategic voters, all liberal candidates highlighted their backgrounds to fight to overcome the lingering trauma of Gwangju, the birthplace of the nation's democratic movement. After the primary, An vowed "to complete the legacy of former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung."
"This time was not enough to promote my policies. I will seek to do so in the future to create an upturn in other regional primaries," Lee told reporters regarding Moon's dominance.
The early presidential election following the removal of former President Park Geun-hye from office has seen the DPK primary attract an unprecedented large number of the voters ― 2.14 million nationwide ― including 270,000 Jeolla residents.
To reflect the widespread wish of the people for a change in political power, the DPK didn't give extra weight to votes from party members.
The DPK has three more regional primaries in the Chungcheong provinces, Wednesday; the Gyeongsang provinces, Friday; and the capital area including Gangwon Province, April 3; plus a possible run-off election if no contender wins a majority.
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