Ruling party figures rumored to be defecting to Ahn`s camp

Former ruling Saenuri Party Rep. Kim Seong-sik, who served as deputy chairman of the party`s policy committee and designed the party’s economic policies, has left the party to lead the camp of independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo.

Party sources tried to downplay the move Monday, with one saying, “There has been no big impact.” Yet they seemed to fear a domino effect or a series of figures bolting the party.

Those expected to leave the party, though they deny it, include former Rep. Jeong Tae-gun, who left the party with Kim last year, former lawmakers Won Hee-ryong, Gwon O-eul, Goh Jin-hwa and Hong Jeong-wook.

Kim Deok-ryong, chairman of the (South) Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation and a native of the Jeolla provinces who supported former President Kim Young-sam, is likely to create a forum supporting Ahn. Former President Kim’s son Kim Hyun-chul, the deputy director of the party`s think tank Youido Institute, could also join the Ahn camp. Park Sun-sook, chairman of Ahn`s election committee, said, “There was no talk about that (the rumors).”

Many people say Ahn named Park from the main opposition Democratic United Party and Kim Seong-sik from the ruling party to co-lead his camp to increase his support base. Though former first-time lawmakers, Park and Kim Seong-sik worked for their respective parties for a long time and have extensive election experience.

A novice in politics, Ahn seems to have hired them to mimic the strategies of the ruling and main opposition parties. In addition, the candidate can gain favor from moderates or swing voters by hiring the two figures from different ends of the political spectrum.

On if discussion on unifying the opposition camp`s candidate would be necessary no later than the end of the month, Kim Ho-gi, a Yonsei University professor who is charge of Ahn’s political innovation forum, told a radio program, “Detailed discussions will be probably made from that point.” After his comment attracted controversy, the scholar said, “This is my personal opinion and irrelevant to the camp’s official stance.”

Ahn made his first visit to Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the stronghold of ruling party candidate Park Geun-hye, since his announcement of running for president. After looking at dried crops in greenhouses in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, which has been seriously hit by a massive gas leak a few days ago, he said, “It’s much more devastating than I imagined. A government that cannot protect the people is useless.”

In addition, he stressed the importance of a medical checkup for all residents and soil tests, saying, “The response was too weak in all aspects ranging from prevention, early response and post-crisis measures.” In a speech at Daegu University, Ahn said, “The Zeitgeist is addressing the gap in regions, social classes, companies and gender.”

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