Saenuri leader banks on ‘star power’; DUP chief shares leadership role


The leaders of the two main parties are using contrasting campaign styles, with the ruling party chief leading from the front and the opposition leader delegating duties.

Ruling Saenuri Party chairwoman Rep. Park Geun-hye largely acted alone and canvassed a wide area, especially the southeastern Yeongnam region, which includes Busan.

Rep. Park went to Busan on Sunday, marking her fifth visit this year and displaying her interest in the high-profile races there.

The right-wing leader, nicknamed “queen of elections,” had her right hand strapped up after repeated handshakes with voters took their toll.

Her strategy was to convince the people of the ruling party’s efforts for renewal and to stress her trustworthy image as a potential president.

Park’s endorsement could be crucial for Son Su-jo, the party’s 27-year-old candidate in Sasang, Busan, who is fighting against opposition heavyweight Moon Jae-in.

“Rep. Park’s visits here noticeably helped boost the conservative voters’ trust in Son,” said an aide in her camp.

On the other hand, chairwoman of the main opposition Democratic United Party Han Myeong-sook shared her pivotal role with other key members of the party.

During the weekend, Han mostly stayed in Seoul and nearby areas, and appeared in the candidates’ campaigns, whereas supreme councilors including Moon Jae-in and Moon Sung-keun stumped in Yeongnam.

The DUP leader, while focusing on the capital, took an aggressive line against the current government and the ruling party over corruption.

She referred to the ongoing allegations that the government conducted illicit surveillance over civilians and urged voters to display their opposition by voting against the ruling party and its candidates.

“Rep. Park, despite her position as right-wing leader, has never spoken out or apologized for the irregularities,” Han said.

The party also earlier announced a group of 12 political mentors, including popular novelist Gong Ji-young and Seoul National University law professor Cho Kuk, who will back up the electoral campaigns.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)