This is the fourth in a series introducing the key inter-party battle fields in the upcoming April 11 general elections. ― Ed.


The Eunpyeong-B constituency, located in the northwestern outskirts of Seoul, has risen to be one of the most significant election battle spots as an aide to a former liberal president is to challenge a key figure of the current government.

The turnout of the match is also expected to influence the political domain of the leading parties in the presidential race slated for year-end.

Cheon Ho-seon, spokesperson of the minority Unified Progressive Party, was earlier selected as the sole left-wing candidate for the area, after winning in an internal race against the main opposition Democratic United Party rivals.

He will thus challenge the post of Rep. Lee Jae-oh, a senior right-wing lawmaker and close presidential aide, who has been elected in the area during the past four parliamentary terms.

The liberal candidate started his political career back in 1991 as former President Roh Moo-hyun’s assistant and later became Cheong Wa Dae’s spokesperson for Roh.

“This will be a symbolic round to prove the public’s disapproval of the current Lee Myung-bak government and its achievements over the past four years,” said Cheon’s aide.

“Rep. Lee has gained a firm political footing here but he, too, cannot be free from the public’s disapproval of the current ruling party.”

In order to stand against Lee’s local connections, the UPP spokesman decided to focus on detailed policy content and appeal to those who are against the current government, officials of his camp said.

His main campaign pledges include a plan to reinforce regulations over super supermarkets and protect small and medium sized independent businesses, which make up a large part of the local economy.

“There is a considerable group of swing voters with center-left tendencies who are ready to vote any time for an alternative,” the aide said.

According to a recent public poll conducted by a local daily, Cheon gained 38 percent of the respondents’ approval, catching up with rival Lee who won 42.2 percent.

The ruling Saenuri Party runner Lee, on the other hand, has adopted an independent election strategy to separate his public image from that of his party.

The fourth-term lawmaker is largely known for canvassing the local voters by himself, refusing to be accompanied by assistants or reporters, in an attempt to reach out closely to the local communities.

This was also his winning plan back in the 2010 by-elections, when he refused the support from the party’s election headquarters and requested that the leadership “keep away from Eunpyeong.”

Observers noted that this strategy may be all the more effective this year, as the ruling party has largely lost the public’s credit, due to its internal factional feuds, especially over the recent candidate nomination.

The pro-Lee figure is also making active use of social network services in order to access young voters who have a general animosity against the incumbent administration.

“As long as Lee succeeds in shaking off the factional image as a presidential aide and as a Saenuri lawmaker, he is likely to once again win the favor of the local residents,” said his aide.

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