Presidential race begins in earnest

Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)'s presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, center, inspects Seoul Seojin School for people with special needs in Gangseo District, with Rep. Choi Hye-young, front, of the DPK, Sunday. Joint press corps

Lee, Yoon both face challenges of escaping allegations, winning young voters

By Jung Da-min

The country's presidential race has entered into full swing, with the nomination of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as the presidential candidate of the main opposition conservative People Power Party (PPP), Friday.

The presidential election is scheduled for March 9, 2022, to pick a successor to President Moon Jae-in.

Yoon was selected as the PPP's presidential candidate Friday after winning 47.85 percent of votes cast in a poll of party members and the general public conducted from Nov. 1 to 4, beating out Rep. Hong Joon-pyo's 41.5 percent.

Standing against Yoon is former Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung from the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Joining the candidates from the two major parties are Rep. Sim Sang-jeung of the minor opposition progressive Justice Party and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the minor opposition conservative People's Party. Former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon has also declared his presidential bid, seeking a third way by founding his own party, "The New Wave."

Political watchers say the main competition will be between Yoon and Lee, but whether Ahn or Kim ultimately join either of the two major parties or finish their own races as independents could be a major variable.

Yoon and Lee have been back and forth in recent public opinion polls for the preferred next president. While the main opposition PPP has put the slogan of leadership change to the fore, saying the time has come to judge the ruling bloc's policy failures; the ruling DPK says retaining power would lead to the completion of the ruling bloc's reforms.

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Yoon is a symbolic figure for the PPP's slogan of leadership change, as he often clashed with former Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae when he was the top prosecutor over the DPK's push for prosecutorial reform. Lee is considered a strong figure who could appeal to the public with his clear messaging on welfare policies. He enjoyed high popularity when serving as governor of Gyeonggi Province with his strong policy drive for a basic income for provincial residents.

The main opposition People Power Party's presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl, center, poses with participants in a ceremony commemorating the country's fifth Youth Day, held at the Peace Plaza of Olympic Park in Seoul's Songpa District, Saturday. Courtesy of Yoon Seok-youl's election camp

But both Lee and Yoon face challenges ahead involving corruption scandals. Lee is facing a land development speculation scandal in which it is alleged that he was involved in the highly lucrative project led by a private firm when he was the mayor of Seongnam. The prosecution is currently investigating the scandal. Yoon has been accused of abusing power when serving as the top prosecutor by ordering his aides to lodge defamation accusations against ruling bloc figures. The case is currently being dealt with by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

With the two failing to prove their innocence in the eyes of the public, their approval ratings among young voters in their 20s and 30s have been notably lower in recent opinion polls.

Cha Jae-won, a professor of special affairs at the Catholic University of Pusan, said the biggest challenge for Yoon is how to win support of these young voters.

"Many of those in their 60s and 70s support Yoon and many of those in their 40s and 50s support Lee, according to recent polls. Those in their 20s and 30s have turned their back on the current liberal ruling bloc, disappointed with its many corruption scandals. But Yoon has also failed to win their support, which was seen in the PPP primary where Rep. Hong won more support from them," Cha said.

"Yoon's leadership style as the former top prosecutor is outdated compared to other veteran candidates who have actively adapted to changing trends. Yoon has also failed to present his own political vision, which cannot be achieved in a short period of time. As he hurriedly rushed into the presidential election without any political experience, he will have to bring strong political figures or veteran politicians into his camp."

Some political watchers say Yoon needs to scout veteran economist and politician Kim Chong-in, who formerly headed the PPP's emergency committee.

Park Chang-hwan, a political commentator and a professor at Jangan University, said the challenge for Lee will also be winning support from young voters.

"Compared to Yoon, who has failed to present his own political vision, Lee has a relatively stable image as a veteran politician. However, controversy is rising over scandals surrounding him, and his support rate is waning because of these. Lee is now urged to appeal to the young group by presenting viable policy plans as to how to put his basic income policy as well as other plans he has promised, such as providing more housings, into action."