South Chungcheong Province Gov. An Hee-jung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Sunday declared his bid in the upcoming presidential election, vowing to put an end to the “old era” and open the way for a new generation of politics.

The progressive governor, who is deemed a runner-up to the party’s former Chairman Moon Jae-in, therefore set out to compete not only against conservative candidates but also against his in-party rivals, including Moon.

“Let us put an end to an era in which presidents have reigned with monarchal powers,” An said at a press conference, officially announcing his participation in the presidential race.

The event was held in a question-and-answer format in a theater in Hyehwa-dong, in an apparent bid to reflect the presidential aspirant’s freewheeling communication style.

“It is now time to end the (old) era, which started upon the (pro-democracy) movement in June 1987, and to start a whole new 30 years,” he said.

“What (the nation) needs is a new leader who will bring dynamic changes to this world, a young leadership which will put thought into actions.”

The 52-year-old governor is currently one of the youngest among the presidential hopefuls. His party’s front-runner Moon is 63, and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is 72.

Alluding to the country’s division, largely triggered by the extensive corruption scandal involving incumbent President Park Geun-hye and her aides, An underlined the importance of national unity and the division of powers.

“(If I become president), I will let the majority party appoint a prime minister, who will supervise the Cabinet and administer domestic affairs while the president focuses on long-term state projects and represents the 50 million people,” he said.

“We should also break free from a centralized power system, which focuses on the capital and its group of elites, and let local governments make independent decisions.”

The governor’s forte, apart from his public image as a progressive, is that he successfully won his second term in South Chungcheong Province despite its high population of conservative elderly voters.

It is with this background that he claims himself to be a better candidate than Moon, who faces hostility not only from the conservative camp but also within his own party.

An also pledged to take a practical approach to national security issues, gesturing at overcoming one of the progressive camp’s weaknesses and therefore appeal to the centrist swing voters’ pool.

“When it comes to national security and foreign affairs, I will not be bound by partisan logics,” he said.

An’s stance is to fortify the nation’s defense, expand its diplomacy with key states such as the US and China, while amending estranged inter-Korean ties -- embracing both conservative and progressive policies.

“I will not put forward any new blueprint on the economy, as it will be sufficient to expand on the economic policies so far adopted by former presidents and to take them to a higher level,” he said.

Gearing up for competition with Moon over the party’s candidate nomination, An also stressed his representability and unchanged loyalty for the party.

“I am the legitimate (political) heir of the Democratic Party. It is I who shall bring victory for the party and achieve a change of government,” he said.

“Ever since I joined politics in my late 20s, I have followed the path of (the late liberal) presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, and have remained faithful to the end, even when my seniors gave up midway.”

A survey conducted by local pollster Realmeter in the third week of January showed An to be ranked fifth among potential presidential candidates, with 4 percent in approval rating.

Meanwhile, Moon wrote on his Twitter account that he “welcomes” An’s presidential bid, expressing hope that it would enliven the upcoming in-party primary.

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