Party leaders’ fates hitched to by-election results
Published: 15 Oct. 2009, 07:02
The official campaign period for the Oct. 28 by-elections to select five lawmakers began today, the National Election Commission said.
The by-elections will take place in Sangnok-B District of Ansan, Gyeonggi; Gangneung, Gangwon; Jincheon, North Chungcheong; Jangan District of Suwon and Yangsan of South Gyeongsang. The competition is the fiercest in Yangsan, as eight candidates declared ambitions to be elected. Among them is Park Hee-tae, former Grand National Party chairman.
The by-elections are also expected to determine the fate of each political party’s leadership. Buoyed by the rising approval rating of President Lee Myung-bak, the Grand National Party geared up yesterday to end a decade-long jinx that a ruling party never wins by-elections.
“If we appeal to the voters with a humble attitude, the voters will wisely support us,” GNP Chairman Chung Mong-joon said yesterday.
Chung, who succeeded the GNP leadership from Park last month, was once considered an interim head until the ruling party elects a new chairman early next year. Party officials, however, said Chung’s influence over the party can be largely solidified if he has a successful record of by-election victories.
The by-election outcomes will likely determine the Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun’s fate, and Chung was already in North Chungcheong yesterday to appeal the voters of the area. Liberty Forward Party Chairman Lee Hoi-chang also visited the region to seek the voters’ backing for his party, whose stronghold is the Chungcheong provinces.
By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]
The by-elections will take place in Sangnok-B District of Ansan, Gyeonggi; Gangneung, Gangwon; Jincheon, North Chungcheong; Jangan District of Suwon and Yangsan of South Gyeongsang. The competition is the fiercest in Yangsan, as eight candidates declared ambitions to be elected. Among them is Park Hee-tae, former Grand National Party chairman.
The by-elections are also expected to determine the fate of each political party’s leadership. Buoyed by the rising approval rating of President Lee Myung-bak, the Grand National Party geared up yesterday to end a decade-long jinx that a ruling party never wins by-elections.
“If we appeal to the voters with a humble attitude, the voters will wisely support us,” GNP Chairman Chung Mong-joon said yesterday.
Chung, who succeeded the GNP leadership from Park last month, was once considered an interim head until the ruling party elects a new chairman early next year. Party officials, however, said Chung’s influence over the party can be largely solidified if he has a successful record of by-election victories.
The by-election outcomes will likely determine the Democratic Party Chairman Chung Sye-kyun’s fate, and Chung was already in North Chungcheong yesterday to appeal the voters of the area. Liberty Forward Party Chairman Lee Hoi-chang also visited the region to seek the voters’ backing for his party, whose stronghold is the Chungcheong provinces.
By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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