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Park Geun-hye(left),Sohn Hak-kyu(center), Lee Myung-bak(right).
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Race for the top political seat has started
Park Geun-hye, leader of South Korea’s main opposition Grand National Party, is set to step down from her post today. Lee Myung-bak, mayor of Seoul City Government, and Sohn Hak-kyu, governor of Gyeonggi Province, will follow her lead on June 30. The three are key candidates for next year’s presidential election, and are now giving up their political posts to start the competition.
Ms. Park was, briefly, resting after a knife attack at local-level election rally last month left her face scarred. But her convalescence has not lasted long, as she seems to be gearing up to choose her office members and advisory group for her presidential election campaign.
Ms. Park is the only current lawmaker among the so-called ‘big three’ presidential candidates from the Grand National Party.
Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak plans to hit the public speaking circuit after stepping down from his post. One of closest aides for Lee said, “In July, he plans to make lectures in local regions to help his party win the election.”
Mayor Lee then plans to go abroad to look at other regions’ benchmark economic development strategies. India and the United Arab Emirates are potential stops. His camp expects the visits to build his image as a leader with an international career. His supporters are now forming an advisory group to prepare for the presidential election.
Gyeonggi province Governor Sohn Hak-kyu plans to embark on a so-called “march to listen to public opinion” for three months after his resignation. Sohn plans to post his feelings on his meetings with the people of South Korea daily on his personal Internet homepage. His camp of supporters said, “The march will help him widen communication with [the people of South Korea] and find out what the spirit of this era is.”
Starting early next month, Governor Sohn will open his Internet homepage and plans to proceed with his presidential election campaign through the site. His aim is to lead a so-called “digital election” by gathering opinions from his advisory group nationwide. One of his closest aides said the governor would try to stand out from the other candidates by tapping into digital culture.
