Former candidate Ahn Cheol-soo joined Democratic United Party nominee Moon Jae-in’s campaign late last week, boosting hopes of an opposition victory in the Dec. 19 presidential election.

But the former software entrepreneur remained low-key on the campaign trail, disappointing many of their supporters and prompting speculation that he may be eyeing his chances in the next presidential election.

On Tuesday, the two canvassed in Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan area, Moon mainly in Gyeonggi Province and Ahn in downtown college districts.

Moon portrayed an opposition standing together against the ruling administration. However, Ahn continued his “silent” street campaigning, remaining a step away from the DUP’s eleventh-hour struggles to reverse its disadvantage in poll numbers.

All of Moon’s visits were animated by campaign performances by the DUP’s regional branch members and supporters. The scenes were also filled with yellow and green, the signature colors of the liberal party.

“This presidential election is about a match between the people’s alliance against the privileged alliance,” he said.

“It is the contest of new politics led by Moon, Ahn, and Sim Sang-jeung, and old politics led by Park Geun-hye, Lee Hoi-chang and Rhee In-je.”

Moon and Ahn merged their candidacy late last month, upon the resignation of the independent candidate, which came at the peak of their weeks-long negotiations.

Their hard-won “unity,” however, was also criticized as incomplete, as Ahn remained reclusive for almost two weeks before finally reconfirming his support for Moon.

In contrast to Moon’s aggressive emphasis on unity, Ahn’s moves were rather discreet, held in the form of surprise meetings with students and citizens.

The former candidate, too, addressed the audience in a unique manner, without the help of microphones or loudspeakers.

Instead, he requested the public to repeat after him and deliver his words to those standing further away.

His key message was to encourage voting, but only in an abstract sense, without referring to specific figures or examples.

“Voting is the most positive way to solve the young generation’s problems,” he said.

“Politics will not pay attention to the youth unless they practice their voting rights.”

Ahn, known for his small voice and introspective character, often lacked conspicuity but still held on to his no-mic policy. He also resorted to simple expressions and short sentences, in order to deliver his message to the crowd.

“Last Thursday, candidate Moon promised to the people to achieve new politics,” Ahn said.

“I believed in his words and decided to help him selflessly.”

Apart from this sentence, however, the political rookie spoke little of his alliance with Moon or the DUP.

His aides, in fact, felt ill at ease over having the DUP involving itself in Ahn’s street campaigning.

Rep. You Seung-hee, DUP lawmaker and Seongbuk-Gu representative, joined Ahn’s group during his visit to Korea University but soon stepped away from the scene.

“It would be okay (for You) to bump into Ahn by chance but it is quite unnecessary for her to drop in intentionally,” said a key official to the former candidate.

The officials also paid extra caution not to include the DUP’s symbolic yellow in their clothing.

“This may be just a trivial detail but we do not want any political misunderstanding,” said Rep. Song Ho-chang, who wore a lemon-colored scarf in the morning.

Song, who earlier defected from the DUP to join Ahn’s election camp, later changed his scarf to an ivory one.

Ahn had pledged Monday, during his visit to North Jeolla Province, that he would not take any appointed post in the next government, even if Moon was elected.

His decision triggered speculation that the novice politician is out for the next presidency instead of wanting to be part of an Moon’s administration.

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