Small but diverse, independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo’s campaign organization resembles a young venture business company.

Reflecting his pledge to change politics and do away with conventional practices, the organization is characterized by its horizontal network system and flexible management.

It is also significantly smaller than the camps of his two main rivals ― the ruling Saenuri Party’s Rep. Park Geun-hye and the Democratic United Party’s Rep. Moon Jae-in.

Ahn’s camp is made up of two major divisions ― an election strategy headquarters and a policy forum network.

The two bodies are backed by a number of independent forums, advisers’ councils and supporters’ groups.

“A mammoth election camp does not fit our policy to build,” spokesperson Yoo Min-young said.

“The key point is to keep the camp’s internal organization minimal to induce the people to voluntarily participate in the presidential campaign.”

In a similar context, the name of the camp had been undecided until Ahn’s supporters suggested “Ahn Cheol-soo’s Jinsim (true mind) Camp” through social networks.

Spearheading his camp is former DUP lawmaker Park Sun-sook, who has been in charge of the election headquarters since Ahn announced his presidential bid in September.

Park had been a longtime loyalist of Korea’s established left, especially to former President Kim Dae-jung, but gave up her party membership upon joining the independent candidate.

She is also known for her communication skills, meticulous strategies and bold actions ― qualities which were of great help to the rookie candidate, especially in the early stages of his campaign.

“I chose to join Ahn and support his efforts for change,” Park said upon defecting from the DUP.

“I believe that Ahn’s moves will act as a cornerstone for the future of our politics.”

Park was later joined by former right-wing reformist lawmaker Kim Song-sik and incumbent DUP lawmaker Rep. Song Ho-chang, but is nevertheless considered the commanding officer of the campaign team.

Under their joint leadership, the headquarters is currently organized into eight departments, including the situation control center, public service center, secretary’s office and legal team.

“One of the characteristics of Ahn’s camp is that all of its members communicate well with one another, regardless of their team or position,” said situation room director Keum Tae-sup.

While the headquarters takes control of the overall management and communication, other professional figures are in charge of Ahn’s policy development.
Yoon Young-kwan, former minister of foreign affairs and trade, joined the camp as Ahn’s chief director on foreign affairs, unification and national security issues.

Yoon acted as diplomatic adviser to President Roh and was appointed minister in 2003, though he was replaced the following year amid conflict with the presidential house.

His role in Ahn’s camp has so far been relatively inconspicuous, especially compared to his partner Jang Ha-sung, but is expected to expand from next week, after the candidate finalizes his policy outline.

Lee Bong-jo, former unification vice minister, will also act as assistant policy deviser, specializing in North Korean policy.

Jang, a professor at Korea University’s Graduate School of Business Administration, has been the most active of Ahn’s staff officials, being in charge of his social and economic policies.

Renowned for his minority shareholders’ campaign and tough stance against conglomerates, Jang has stood at the vanguard of the camp’s economic democratization and public welfare discussions.

He is also known to have designed most of Ahn’s conglomerate reform plans, including forceful measures such as the separation of group affiliates, in case conglomerate owners refuse to comply with the basic reform policy.

“Economic democratization is often misunderstood as a plot to disband conglomerates,” Jang said in an economic forum late last month.

“It is about straightening out the market economy order, which has been distorted by the irregularities of conglomerate owners and their family members.”

The term “economic democratization” is still a controversial, academic term, but should nevertheless be prioritized as it reflects the people’s demands, he added.

“The public agreed that active measures were needed to narrow the current social divide and to boost future growth,” he said.

“It is the public which brought the issue into the election forum, not the candidates.”

Acting as a communication channel between the policy team and the camp’s other networks is Seoul National University Professor Hong Jong-ho.

The environment expert has for years led campaigns blasting the Lee Myung-bak administration’s controversial four-river restoration project. He is also expected to play a leading role in devising Ahn’s environment and energy policies.

Others have decided to back the candidate from outside the boundaries of the election camp system.

Lee Hun-jae, former vice prime minister for economy, offered his hand to Ahn by speaking in favor of his policies in public.

“Economic democratization is about conducting effective macroeconomic policies,” he said late last month, in a leadership forum hosted by the Korea Economic Research Institute.

“Let us do away with the narrow-minded perspectives that the policy is a political plot against conglomerates.”

Lee’s close ties with Ahn surprised some observers earlier as he has long been a leading conservative economist.

However, by staying out of the official organization, Lee limited his role to unofficial counseling and indirect support, dodging possible feuds with other progressive officials on Ahn’s election team.

Jo Jung-rae, renowned novelist and literature professor, also plays a significant role in boosting Ahn’s popularity in culture and arts circles.

Though he seldom involves himself in election campaigns, Jo accepted the post as chairman of Ahn’s sponsor association and organized some of the surprise meetings between the candidate and citizens.

“Unlike camp officials, I will not always be around to develop policies or answer questions, but I am nevertheless a fulltime devotee to Ahn’s vision,” the writer said.

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