ID :
211697
Fri, 10/07/2011 - 13:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/211697
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(Yonhap Editorial) Seoul mayoral election should be free of political slandering
SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- Registration of candidates for the Oct. 26 mayoral election in Seoul ends on Friday and the candidates will launch their official campaigns on Oct. 13. The Seoul mayoral election will likely be a showdown between the conservative and liberal forces. At the forefront of the showdown are Rep. Na Kyung-won of the ruling Grand National Party representing the conservative group while lawyer-turned activist Park Won-soon, though registered as an independent, will fight on behalf of the opposition Democratic Party and liberal civic organizations.
The GNP vowed to support Na while Park Geun-hye, a former GNP chairwoman regarded a top contender for next year's presidential election, announced her support for Na. The DP also expressed full support for Park Won-soon in the election.
The ruling party formed an election campaign for Na with party members who follow President Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. About 100 conservative civic groups declared their support for Na while ranking figures from the DP, two minor opposition parties and from liberal civic organizations are participating in Park's election campaign.
As a result, the race for Seoul mayor is said to be a bellwether for the general and presidential elections slated for April and December next year.
The mayoral election, being such a big match between the two rival forces, is feared to be stained by an exchange of negative propaganda and slandering rather than the policy views of the candidates.
Any mudslinging between the opposing camps will only bring forth mistrust in politics. The two candidates should realize that effectively communicating policy positions is the only way to appeal to the voters.
Of course, the candidates should be thoroughly vetted as the election will pick the leader who will take care of the city of 10 million citizens. The candidates should also explain any suspicions raised. Park, in particular, should explain the truth behind various accusations, including receiving huge amounts of money from big companies, since he is no longer a civic activist but a politician with a good sense of responsibility.
The citizens of Seoul should not forget that the essence of the election is to pick a candidate who will do the best job for the citizens and the city. Therefore the voters should thoroughly examine the policy visions and the personal qualifications of the candidates. The voters also should closely check if candidates make any irresponsible election pledges which will hit them as a burden in the future. Wise selection and positive participation in the election is requested more keenly than for any other previous election.
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The GNP vowed to support Na while Park Geun-hye, a former GNP chairwoman regarded a top contender for next year's presidential election, announced her support for Na. The DP also expressed full support for Park Won-soon in the election.
The ruling party formed an election campaign for Na with party members who follow President Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. About 100 conservative civic groups declared their support for Na while ranking figures from the DP, two minor opposition parties and from liberal civic organizations are participating in Park's election campaign.
As a result, the race for Seoul mayor is said to be a bellwether for the general and presidential elections slated for April and December next year.
The mayoral election, being such a big match between the two rival forces, is feared to be stained by an exchange of negative propaganda and slandering rather than the policy views of the candidates.
Any mudslinging between the opposing camps will only bring forth mistrust in politics. The two candidates should realize that effectively communicating policy positions is the only way to appeal to the voters.
Of course, the candidates should be thoroughly vetted as the election will pick the leader who will take care of the city of 10 million citizens. The candidates should also explain any suspicions raised. Park, in particular, should explain the truth behind various accusations, including receiving huge amounts of money from big companies, since he is no longer a civic activist but a politician with a good sense of responsibility.
The citizens of Seoul should not forget that the essence of the election is to pick a candidate who will do the best job for the citizens and the city. Therefore the voters should thoroughly examine the policy visions and the personal qualifications of the candidates. The voters also should closely check if candidates make any irresponsible election pledges which will hit them as a burden in the future. Wise selection and positive participation in the election is requested more keenly than for any other previous election.
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