South Korean Politics and Elections

Defections Continue From Presidential Front-Runner's Camp

Korea Times, November 30, 2007

A senior opposition lawmaker bolted Friday from his conservative party, following the defection the previous day of a fellow legislator disenchanted with presidential front-runner Lee Myung-bak, now dogged by corruption scandals.

Rep. Kim Byoung-ho [SKPE note, there is no Kim Byoung-ho in either the English or Korean section of the National Assembly home page], a two-term lawmaker of the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP), said he will join Lee Hoi-chang, an independent conservative hopeful running against GNP standardbearer Lee Myung-bak in the Dec. 19 election.

"Lee Hoi-chang is a better choice to win the election than the GNP candidate, and will help create a clean and strong country," Kim, 64, told reporters.

Kim's defection comes a day after Rep. Koak Sung-moon bolted from the GNP to join Lee Hoi-chang, a former GNP chairman who enjoys approval ratings of about 20 percent compared to frontrunner Lee Myung-bak's approximate 40 percent ratings. The number of GNP seats in the 299-member National Assembly has slid to 127.

The defection of the two senior members of the camp of Park Geun-hye, who lost a fierce battle with Lee Myung-bak in the GNP primaries in August, may be followed by other pro-Park members, according to political analysts.

Park's fan club, which claims to have over 40,000 members, recently declared its support for Lee Hoi-chang, despite Park's pledge to support Lee Myung-bak. Park is a former leader of the GNP.

Lee Myung-bak, a former Seoul mayor and business executive, has been haunted by corruption scandals since his August nomination by the GNP, including allegations that he illicitly had his children hired at one of his companies. He apologized for that act, but denied that it was designed to avoid tax.

The latest scandal centers around a now-defunct asset management company he allegedly co-founded with his former business partner, Kim Kyung-joon, who fled to the United States
after allegedly rigging share prices and embezzling corporate funds in 2001. Kim Kyung-joon was recently repatriated and is being investigated for his alleged crimes and links to Lee. Lee denies any impropriety.

Despite the allegations, Lee maintains a stable lead in the presidential race. Recent surveys have shown his support ratings hover around 40 percent while other candidates, including Lee Hoi-chang, struggle to breach the 20 percent mark.

The conservative GNP, which looks as if it will take power this year after a decade of liberal rule, said in a statement that the defections are "stupid acts." It called the lawmakers "traitors."

Kim and Koak were elected in 2004 in Busan and Daegu respectively, two of the strongest GNP footholds and two of South Korea's largest cities.

(Yonhap)

Lawmaker Leaves GNP to Support Independent

Korea Times, November 29, 2007

By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter

The possibility of some lawmakers of the Grand National Party (GNP) dropping support for the party's presidential nominee Lee Myung-bak is getting higher as evidence of Lee's stock price manipulation mounts.

Rep. Koak Sung-moon, a close confidant of former GNP Chairwoman Park Geun-hye, Thursday left the GNP to support independent candidate Lee Hoi-chang. As a result, the number of GNP seats in the 299-member National Assembly decreased to 128. The United New Democratic Party has 140 seats.

In a statement, Koak said more than 100 GNP lawmakers are blindly following Lee Myung-bak's lies.

``I will do anything for the Lee Hoi-chang camp,'' he said. ``I will generate an electoral sensation, starting from (my hometown) Daegu.''

Asked if other confidants of Park, who was beaten by Lee Myung-bak in the GNP primary race to select presidential nominee, will also follow suit, Koak said, ``There are several more who will leave the party.''

If the prosecution's investigation results are made public on Dec. 5, about 15 more GNP lawmakers will move their position to support independent Lee Hoi-chang, who was formerly chairman of the conservative GNP.

Lee Myung-bak, who earlier shunned Park and her camp after his primary victory, has recently assumed a more humble attitude to enlist Park's help after Lee Hoi-chang declared his third bid for the presidency in early November.

Park has been cited as a critical factor for the conservatives because she leads a huge following in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.

kys@koreatimes.co.kr

Candidates’ Wives Become Ears and Shadows for Husbands

Korea Times, November 29, 2007

By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter

As a needle is inseparable from a thread, presidential candidates who are busy campaigning are backed up by more permanent supporters, their wives, than any other aides.

Being ears, feet or reliable backbone sometimes, they help their husbands run for the Dec. 19 election.

Since Chung Dong-young of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) declared his presidential bid, Min Hae-kyung has been playing more than five roles for her husband.

She prepares a meal every day and is trying to take care of Chung's health as well.

Since he delivers many speeches outside, she packs four to five vacuum flasks of home-grown pyogo mushrooms in hot water which are known to be good for throat here.

Min is also a good stylist for the UNDP candidate.

She chooses not only suits and shirts but also details like ties and cufflinks.

Crisscrossing the country, she visits even small countryside markets, which her husband does not have time to call on.

Even though she does not actively promote Chung's campaign pledges, she is trying to listen to the difficulties people have and what they expect him to do.

Then, she helps her husband and his camp reflect the people's wishes in Chung's campaign pledges.

``While Chung is the mouth giving his pledges, Min is the ear listening to the problems people have,'' her spokeswoman told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity. ``Chung always stresses the importance of listening. In terms of that, she is a great listener.''

From Tuesday, Min started to be more active by giving speeches to voters.

She focused on promoting Chung's flagship pledge to make families happy by removing insecurities regarding employment, residence, education and post-retirement.

Min, who is the most favored lady among candidates' wives in opinion polls, recently opened a personal homepage to publicize the ``happy family'' promise while introducing her daily life.

Meanwhile, Kim Yun-ok, wife of the Grand National Party candidate Lee Myung-bak, is taking a relatively quiet approach.

Even though she does not appear on Lee's campaign or deliver speeches, she keeps doing voluntary work to support her husband.

She met with spouses of disabled people and vendors in traditional markets Thursday to listen to their plight directly.

``She is trying to avoid making a fuss. Like Lee's shadow, she is just supporting him and trying to touch the people's hearts,'' Park Jeong-ha, her spokesman said. ``Due to this reason, she is accompanied by just three to four staff members.''

He quoted her as saying that people do not like boisterous activities because it is the initial stage of the official campaign. He added that she is making an effort to fulfill her duties in the supporting role that a candidate's wife is supposed to play.

On the other hand, she takes aggressive action against negative campaigning targeting both her and her husband.

She filed a libel suit Wednesday against UNDP Spokeswoman Kim Hyun-mee who criticized her for wearing an extravagant watch.

Lee's wife said that the controversial watch was a domestically manufactured one worth 70,000 won ($75).

The wives of other candidates are also gearing up to support their husbands.

Han In-ok plans to participate in charity events and volunteer work for independent candidate Lee Hoi-chang. She will also make a tour of temples nationwide to solicit support from Buddhist groups.

Most camps are operating secretariats for the candidates' wives, putting more emphasis on their roles.

ksy@koreatimes.co.kr

Seoulites to Sway Election

Korea Times, November 29, 2007

By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter

Unlike in the past, Seoul residents are expected to play a crucial role in the presidential election this year, according to various polls.

In the past, vo