Seoul mayoral race pits progressive vs. conservative lawyers

Progressive lawyer-turned-activist Park Won-soon and conservative lawyer Lee Seok-yeon, both of whom will run for Seoul mayor in the Oct. 26 by-election, have spoken on their relations with rival parties and the fielding of unified candidates.

In a radio program on Monday, Park said, “I want to be a unified candidate for the opposition camp without joining the (main opposition) Democratic Party. After becoming the unified candidate, I will consult with opposition parties.”

On if he will join the Democratic Party before the by-election, he said, “I don’t want to remain independent all the way and I`m not insisting on refusing to join the Democratic Party from beginning to end, either.”

Thus, Park is open to joining the Democratic Party after taking an independent path for a time. This is because he will need support from political parties in the final stage of the campaign.

Park also seems to have considered that ruling Grand National Party Rep. Na Kyung-won, his potential challenger in the by-election, is closely chasing him in opinion polls.

Experts say Park believes getting on the nerves of Democratic Party supporters will do no good for him in negotiating for the party`s candidate, who will be selected Sunday, to field a unified candidate for the progressive camp.

Park also has practical reasons to join the Democratic Party. A candidate who represents a party can raise election funds easily.

Tentatively calling his side “Hope Camp for a New Seoul,” he will officially declare Wednesday his candidacy for the by-election at Baekbeom Memorial Hall in central Seoul.

Separately, lawyer Lee Seok-yeon told The Dong-A Ilbo Tuesday, “If I become the candidate of the ruling camp, I will ask for help from former ruling party chief Park Geun-hye,” adding, “Park will help me should I join forces with the ruling party.”

Lee’s comment is interpreted as his attempt to ally himself with Park to highlight his image as the ruling party`s strongest candidate.

He also emphasized his connection with Park, saying, “In winter 2005, when then Grand National Party chief Park staged an outdoor protest to oppose a revision to the private school law, I sided with her by filing a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court against the revision.”

“If the pendulum of public opinion swings (toward other candidates) ahead of candidate registration, I can give up,” Lee said, but stressed his competitive edge by adding, “The results of opinion polls aren`t everything. Competitiveness in the election should be considered.”

Lee will hold an event on appointing him as a candidate for the people. "Under the slogan `Seoul`s protector Lee Seok-yeon will revive Seoul,` I will begin a full-fledged election campaign after preliminary registration of my candidacy tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” adding, “Instead of focusing on holding events, I will meet citizens in places where they make their livelihood in an unsophisticated way like a country bumpkin.”

ddr@donga.com ditto@donga.com