True test of Ahn as third candidate begins


The news conference by professor Ahn Cheol-soo on Wednesday offered a glimpse of a wide network of advisers in civil society, academia and business as public attention focuses on who will be in his inner circle and election camp.

The most prominent participant was Lee Hun-jae, one of the most respected economic bureaucrats in the nation, who is expected to reassure voters questioning the former software guru’s inexperience in state affairs.

Lee served as vice prime minister from 2004-2005 under the former Roh Moo-hyun administration. Seen as Ahn’s private tutor on the economy, Lee appeared at a June event marking Ahn’s latest book.

Among others were progressive novelist Cho Jung-rae; Kim Min-jeon, political science professor at Kyung Hee University; Kim Hyong-ki, economics professor at Kyungpook National University; and Kim Ho-gi, sociology professor at Yonsei University.

On the political front, Choi Sang-yong, a veteran diplomat and political science professor at Korea University, topped the list of his well-known supporters. Choi served as ambassador to Japan in 2002.

The entrepreneur-turned-professor has met them and other experts, scholars, politicians and regular citizens over the past several months to solicit opinions and get a better understanding of society in general.

Many of them contacted are likely to join his campaign, observers said.

Lawyers Keum Tae-sup, Cho Gwang-hui and Kang In-cheol, along with Yoo Min-young, former press center chief of Cheong Wa Dae, and Lee Won-jae, former head of Hankyoreh Economic Research Institute, have already joined Ahn’s election campaign.

They also came out to the press meeting in Seoul.

Keum came into the spotlight after he claimed two weeks ago that he was blackmailed by a campaign official of the ruling Saenuri Party’s candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye. He claimed that the official, who happens to be a longtime friend of his, threatened him in order to block Ahn from running in the December presidential election.

Keum made the bombshell revelation at a nationally televised press conference where lawyers Cho and Kang accompanied him. Keum and Cho also worked on Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon’s campaign last year during the mayoral by-election.

Kang is seen as a close friend of Ahn. He is known to have led the work of establishing Ahn’s non-profit foundation aimed at enhancing the public good.

Yoo, along with former journalist Lee Suk-hyeon, has been in charge of publicity affairs for Ahn.

Rep. Song Ho-chang of the main opposition Democratic United Party is one of Ahn’s close friends. Because of his party affiliation, Song may not be able to support his campaign, but is expected to work as a bridge between Ahn and DUP candidate Rep. Moon Jae-in.

Others Ahn has recently contacted to discuss his presidential bid and other affairs include Kang Joon-man, journalism professor at Chonbuk University; and Kim Keun-sik, a North Korea expert at Kyungnam University.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)