Will he or won`t he?

Seoul National University professor Ahn Cheol-soo is getting offers from opposition parties. Entities that supported the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and pro-opposition civic groups have openly asked Ahn to join the opposition. Chung Se-kyun, a supreme council member of the main opposition Democratic Party, said Monday that Ahn should join the unified opposition camp if he wants to run for president next year.

According to opinion polls, Ahn has emerged as the sole contender for the opposition to run against former ruling party chief Park Geun-hye since the Seoul mayoral by-election. With election campaigns to start in six months, the political picture remains unclear because Ahn has said nothing of whether he will run for president. If he wants to enter politics, he should show his firm determination to the public.

Ahn has distanced himself from politics, saying, “I don’t know a lot about politics,” “I know humanities but not politics,” and “I think the job of president is something not anyone can do.” In the last minute before the Seoul mayoral by-election, however, he visited the camp of opposition candidate Park Won-soon to deliver a message of support and urging people to vote. Ahn`s close aides are known to be encouraging him to form a new party. People who know Ahn say he will join politics.

Ahn has expressed conservative views on national defense and progressive views on the economy, and is opposed to both the ruling and main opposition parties. He has yet to speak about his real political views and vision, however. A medical doctor-turned-software CEO, Ahn has gained popularity through a talk show for college students. He lacks training to gain the political insight needed to be president. A person wishing to become president should have his ability thoroughly tested by the public. Simply speaking at TV talk shows is not enough for the people to judge his ability.

Anh should give the people enough time to examine his qualifications, ability, leadership, sense of national security, beliefs and morality. If he remains mum on if he will join politics and avoids media contact to delay his political participation, he will face criticism of trying to get a free ride. Ahn must speak up about his intentions for fair competition and live up to the public’s hope for new politics. If he was not sure of his path, he should not have supported Park Won-soon for mayor.