After reading The Korea Herald editorial, “Starting presidential race,” appearing on April 23, I became even more concerned about Korea’s future. What has happened to Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Moon-soo?

It isn’t like Gov. Kim is new to politics. He has had a long political career, so he knows how the political process works. He understands how his actions are going to impact the upcoming presidential elections, so why is he advocating an open primary system in Korea? Could he be a Democratic United Party member in disguise?

To be clear, an open primary is a degradation of the political process by allowing one party to raid the election of the other party. Non-affiliated voters will be permitted to vote in the weakest member of the opposition. As a result, we end up with the worst candidate.

Again, open primaries serve to undermine the interest of the party, the country, and the people by allowing those whose candidate has already been decided to aid in the choosing of their opponent. It allows the best interest of the party, and country to be corrupted.

Do we really need more corruption here?

An open primary would be a disaster for the people of Korea. DUP voters would be able to vote for the weakest opponent from the Saenuri Party during the primary, and then during the presidential election, that candidate could be more easily defeated.

Korea deserves the best candidates to be fielded for every election, especially the presidential election this December.

It does not serve any of us to be voting in each other’s worst interest.

By Steven Austin

Steven Austin is a longtime resident of Korea. ― Ed.