GNP leader tops hopefuls in CEO poll

The Economist, a news magazine affiliated with the JoongAng Ilbo, asked the CEOs of 338 businesses in Seoul and Gyeonggi province to choose the presidential candidates most likely to end the tradition of the "imperial presidency" and begin an era of national management resembling that associated with the CEO of a company. Almost 30 percent selected Lee Hoi-chang, head of the main opposition Grand National Party.

Mr. Lee was followed by You Jong-keun, the governor of North Jeolla province, a member of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party. He received more than 17 percent of the vote. More than 10 percent of those polled said Noh Mu-hyun, a senior adviser to the ruling party, would run the presidential office more like a corporation. Representative Rhee In-je of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party received the support of 8.8 percent.

Just over half of those polled said that they were against firms backing candidates who would represent corporate interests, while 47 percent supported the idea. Most CEOs who liked the idea were company owners; most professional managers opposed the idea.

Hangil Research conducted the poll.

by Lee Pil-jae