Rhee In-Jae Takes Reversal Lead in Candidacy

Rhee In-Jae has outrun Rho Moo-Hyun to take the lead in the Millennium Democratic Party primaries for presidential candidacy, which took place in Kwangju and Daejon on the 16th and 17th, respectively.

Rhee received 894 votes (67.5%) out of 1,325 valid votes at the 17th’s Daejon-primary, and took the lead for the first time in 4 regional primaries. Total of 1,779 votes (39.4%) were cast for him in 4 primaries, which placed him at the top of the list.

Previously in the Kwangju- primary, Youngnam-affiliated candidate, Rho, has earned 595 (37.9%) out of 1,568 valid votes to take the surprising lead. Rho, however, only received 219 votes (16.5%. 2nd), and stepped down to the second position with a total of 1,237 votes (27.4%). Rhee aims to consolidate the `Rhee In-Jae Power-Theory` by predominating in the Chungnam-primary on the 23rd, in which his own district constituency (Nonsan) is included. However, a great battle is expected since Rho’s strategy is to reverse the situation in the Kyeongnam-primary on the 30th, which has the 4th largest number of voting population in all 16 cities and provinces. He is to continue the leading atmosphere all the way to the Metropolitan-primary.

Han Hwa-Gap is currently running third with total 648 votes (14.4%)- 280 (17.9%. 3rd) votes in Kwangju and 77 (5.8%. 4th) in Daejon. Kim Jung-Kwon is fourth with total 565 (12.4%) votes- 148 (9.4%. 4th) in Kwangju and 81 (61%. 3rd) in Daejon.

Jung Dong-Young has earned 54 votes (3.4%. 5th) in Kwangju and 54 votes (4.1%. 5th) in Daejon, totaling up to 283 votes (6.3%), which is 5th on the list.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com · Yong-Gwan Jung yongari@donga.com