Ahn can back opposition candidate Moon in number of ways

Even after Ahn Cheol-soo held a ceremony to disperse his election camp Monday after having withdrawn from the presidential race, it is unclear if he will give practical assistance to Moon Jae-in, the runner of the main opposition Democratic United Party. If Ahn chooses to help, he can do so in a number of different ways anytime.

A source at the National Election Commission said Monday, “There are no restrictions to how former candidate Ahn gives support in the election under election law,” adding, “Election campaigning is a matter that is totally up to his commitment.”

Regardless of if he joins the Democratic United Party or registers himself as a campaigner, Ahn can express his support and urge voters to vote for Moon at all public spaces, including roads, markets and parks. He cannot use a microphone in an open space, however. Nevertheless, if a candidate or an official involved in the election campaign calls Ahn onto a podium, he can legally hold a microphone to deliver a speech.

He is also allowed to conduct election campaigns by using social networking services such as Twitter, the mobile messenger Kakao Talk, email and mobile phone text messages. He can also appear on broadcast programs to support Moon.

If Ahn does not register as a campaigner, he cannot put on promotional items such as shoulder banners or caps with Moon’s name or his candidate number. He can hold “talk concerts for youth” or give lectures at colleges, but cannot make statements openly supportive of Moon on such occasions because holding gatherings or assemblies that could affect election results over the campaign period is banned. Ahn, however, can express his personal views such as “the administration should be changed.”

egija@donga.com