Main opposition not to field Nowon C candidate to help Ahn

The main opposition Democratic United Party on Monday said it will not field a candidate in the April 24 by-elections for Seoul’s Nowon C district, which is being contested by former IT guru and presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo.

“The disintegration of the pan-opposition camp is the last thing the people want,” said Kim Dong-cheol, chairman of the party’s nomination screening committee, in a briefing, adding, “We made the decision of self-sacrifice as the eldest brother thinking of the entire family, and hopefully the people and Ahn can understand us.”

Kim used the term “eldest brother” three times.

The decision implies the party`s repayment of a political debt to Ahn, who dropped out of last year`s presidential election to support the party`s contender Moon Jae-in, and simultaneously continue the pan-opposition alliance against the Park Geun-hye administration.

Internal grievances have appeared, however. Critics claim that the party gave up its authority as the largest opposition party first because its decision came at a time when Ahn said nothing.

Rep. Lee Yong-seop, who had announced his candidacy for the party primary for the by-elections, said, “I feel so frustrated. The party should nominate a candidate first and then unify the candidate when the people demand it. It makes no sense for the party to give up fielding a candidate in the first place.”

A source from Ahn`s camp said, “It is appropriate that many people gather their will on the road to new politics.”

Kim Ji-sun, the Nowon C candidate of the minor opposition Progressive Justice Party, said on Twitter, “I will continue the will of voters supporting the Democratic Party and claim a victory in Nowon.”

Lee Sang-il, spokesman of the ruling Saenuri Party, said, “Not fielding a candidate in the first by-election since the presidential election because the (main opposition party) cares about a certain runner is behavior unbefitting a political party and goes against responsible politics.”

mindy@donga.com