ID :
211277
Wed, 10/05/2011 - 11:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/211277
The shortlink copeid
Big names' support may raise stakes in Seoul mayoral by-election
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul mayoral race may prove to be more than a regional election as the competition could turn into a proxy battle between two popular potential contenders for next year's presidential election, political watchers said Wednesday.
The two -- leading presidential candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Grand National Party and liberal-leaning software developer Ahn Cheol-soo -- are believed to have considerable influence over voters.
Their support could prove to be key to the campaigns of the two main candidates in the mayoral race -- Rep. Na Kyung-won of the ruling Grand National Party and opposition-backed lawyer-turned-activist Park Won-soon, analysts said.
If Park and Ahn decide to join the campaigns, the Oct. 26 vote would be a prelude to next year's presidential election, they said.
Park, often referred to "the queen of elections," has not yet declared whether she would take part in campaign activities to support Na, but her close aides said she is poised to do so once the party confirms its official welfare blueprint, a key election issue.
Park plans to state her position later this week and participate in election events once the official campaign kicks off on Oct. 13, aides said.
Political watchers have paid close attention to Park's decision as she has deliberately distanced herself from party affairs and elections since her relationship with President Lee Myung-bak turned sour after she lost a 2007 primary to pick a presidential candidate.
In the opposition camp, Park Won-soon has been showing up at city events and meeting people across the capital city since he became the sole candidate in the liberal camp by winning a primary-type vote held on Monday.
Park Won-soon's camp is eying the possibility of getting support by star software entrepreneur Ahn Cheol-soo, who was once considered the top candidate for Seoul mayor, according to his aides.
Ahn remains a hugely popular draw for young and neutral voters even after giving up his mayoral bid to endorse Park early last month, coming a close second behind the ruling camp's front-runner Park Geun-hye, in recent polls for the presidential race.
Though Ahn has said he will not join the campaign trail and focus on his current job as a university professor, political watchers say his help would give momentum to Park Won-soon, whose single-digit ratings soared after Ahn's endorsement a month ago.
Asked on Tuesday whether he has any plan to help Park, Ahn said, "I have not thought about it. But if Park asks for my help, then I'll take the matter into consideration."
"While Park Won-soon is nearly 10 percentage points ahead of (Na), there could be a call for Ahn to support Park's campaign to give him a comfortable lead," said Hong Hyung-shik, head of the polling agency Hangil Research. "If Ahn joins the campaign, it would practically become a preliminary presidential contest."
According to a poll by polling agency Hankook Research conducted shortly after the Monday caucus, Park garnered 47.1 percent of support among 800 Seoul voters, coming ahead of Na with 38 percent.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
The two -- leading presidential candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Grand National Party and liberal-leaning software developer Ahn Cheol-soo -- are believed to have considerable influence over voters.
Their support could prove to be key to the campaigns of the two main candidates in the mayoral race -- Rep. Na Kyung-won of the ruling Grand National Party and opposition-backed lawyer-turned-activist Park Won-soon, analysts said.
If Park and Ahn decide to join the campaigns, the Oct. 26 vote would be a prelude to next year's presidential election, they said.
Park, often referred to "the queen of elections," has not yet declared whether she would take part in campaign activities to support Na, but her close aides said she is poised to do so once the party confirms its official welfare blueprint, a key election issue.
Park plans to state her position later this week and participate in election events once the official campaign kicks off on Oct. 13, aides said.
Political watchers have paid close attention to Park's decision as she has deliberately distanced herself from party affairs and elections since her relationship with President Lee Myung-bak turned sour after she lost a 2007 primary to pick a presidential candidate.
In the opposition camp, Park Won-soon has been showing up at city events and meeting people across the capital city since he became the sole candidate in the liberal camp by winning a primary-type vote held on Monday.
Park Won-soon's camp is eying the possibility of getting support by star software entrepreneur Ahn Cheol-soo, who was once considered the top candidate for Seoul mayor, according to his aides.
Ahn remains a hugely popular draw for young and neutral voters even after giving up his mayoral bid to endorse Park early last month, coming a close second behind the ruling camp's front-runner Park Geun-hye, in recent polls for the presidential race.
Though Ahn has said he will not join the campaign trail and focus on his current job as a university professor, political watchers say his help would give momentum to Park Won-soon, whose single-digit ratings soared after Ahn's endorsement a month ago.
Asked on Tuesday whether he has any plan to help Park, Ahn said, "I have not thought about it. But if Park asks for my help, then I'll take the matter into consideration."
"While Park Won-soon is nearly 10 percentage points ahead of (Na), there could be a call for Ahn to support Park's campaign to give him a comfortable lead," said Hong Hyung-shik, head of the polling agency Hangil Research. "If Ahn joins the campaign, it would practically become a preliminary presidential contest."
According to a poll by polling agency Hankook Research conducted shortly after the Monday caucus, Park garnered 47.1 percent of support among 800 Seoul voters, coming ahead of Na with 38 percent.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
