DUP prepares for first TV debate between candidates


Buoyed by her first-mover advantage, the ruling Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye continued her visits to former presidents and first ladies on Wednesday, followed by a trip to cheer on participants in the London 2012 Paralympics.

“I believe a grand unity is necessary for the country to develop a step further and for the people to become happier, and I plan to exert more efforts into achieving that,” Park said during a visit to former President Kim Young-sam at his home in Sangdo-dong, Seoul.

Park also paid a visit to former first lady Lee Hee-ho, widow of former President Kim Dae-jung, in the afternoon, following up on her commitment to creating national harmony.

The former chairwoman had dedicated the first day of her official presidential campaign to visiting the graves of past presidents, including those of iconic progressive leaders Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.

In a meeting with the press, Park shared her thoughts on relations with North Korea, and said, “Dialogue is needed even during war,” to a question on whether she was willing to talk with Pyongyang despite its lack of an apology over the shelling of Yeongpyeong Island in 2010, the sinking of the Cheonan and the shooting of a civilian at Mount Geumgang.

“Although it is irresponsible for the government to disregard the tragedy where so many young soldiers were scarified, it is also problematic for the situation to remain this way,” she said. Park added that a message will also be sent that any harm done to the people of South Korea will be countered with retribution.

The latest polls showed Park’s formal candidacy to have elevated her popularity.

Realmeter’s survey on 1,500 respondents from Monday to Tuesday showed Park at 48.4 percent, exceeding Seoul National University professor Ahn Cheol-soo’s 45.8 percent. This was a surge from Park’s 45.3 percent compared to Ahn’s 48.7 percent in the previous poll conducted before the Saenuri Party’s national convention Monday, where Park won in a landslide vote to become the presidential nominee.

Meanwhile, the DUP continued its attack on Park for her association with the dictatorial rule of her late father and former President Park Chung-hee, as well as over the probe into a cash-for-nomination scandal involving expelled Saenuri members.

“Although it was a nice scene to look at, social harmony will not happen just by offering flowers to the deceased,” said Supreme Councilor Kim Han-gil, referring to Park’s surprise visits the day before.

DUP floor leader Park Jie-won said that the attention on Park will turn toward the DUP when its primary race fully begins.

The four presidential hopefuls of the left-wing party including Moon Jae-in, Sohn Hak-kyu, Kim Doo-hwan and Chung Sye-kyun will kick off their regional tour on Saturday starting with Jeju. Jeju voters will begin casting their votes from Thursday, which is expected to set the tone of the DUP’s heated competition for the next month.

Moon and Kim minimized their schedules to prepare for their joint television debate slated for Thursday, while Sohn carried on his stump tour around Jeju.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)