Ahn Cheol-soo
Seoul National University professor Ahn Cheol-soo, explosively popular among the younger voters, has made a decision to play a role in the presidential race independently, a source said Monday.
Even if he is elected president, the former software mogul will deviate from establishing a new party or joining the main opposition Democratic United Party, and remain independent, the source was quoted as saying by the Herald Business.
Speaking on the premise that Ahn would run in the election, the source said: “Ahn plans to devote (himself) to meeting the needs (of the people) that are represented in the so-called Ahn Cheol-soo phenomenon, which Ahn very much cherishes.”
To the question of the possibility of Ahn aligning with a presidential candidate of the opposition forces, the source said, “It is a firm determination of Ahn that he would do what the people want him to do.”
“Although many point out that (Ahn) would fail if he runs as an independent without the help of an established party, it is highly possible for this presidential election to play out differently than in the past,” the source added.
Ahn rose as an influential figure in politics during last October’s Seoul mayoral election of independent Park Won-soon, whom Ahn openly supported.
Park’s win was seen as a blow to the existing political parties, and effectively buoyed Ahn as an alternative candidate for the presidency.
“If Ahn successfully leads (the race), the world will be paying great attention to the new political experiment of the Republic of Korea (during the Dec. 19 election),” the source was quoted as saying.
In order to run as an independent, Ahn is expected to speed up the formation of his political force comprising various social figures and support groups.
Despite the ruling Saenuri Party Park Geun-hye’s launch of her official presidential campaign last week, Ahn’s polls have mostly remained sturdily high.
Ahn garnered 40 percent of support compared to the former chairwoman’s 45 percent in the survey conducted by Gallup Korea on the last week of August. It was a 3 percentage point rise for Ahn from the previous week.
The DUP, currently conducting its primary race, has been openly and repeatedly suggesting Ahn come under its wing soon.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
