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March 23, 2009
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| Political parties have shown a mixed response to Chung Dong-young’s bid to run in the by-elections next month after his nine-month stay in the United States. After arriving at Incheon International Airport yesterday, Chung told reporters, “I came back to offer consolation and hope to the Korean people suffering at this difficult time. I also want to be of help, albeit minimal, to my party.” Chung then headed to his office in Jeonju. Chung Sye-kyun, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said he “welcomed the return of the ex-colleague.” The DP chairman brushed off the possibility of the former TV news anchor running independently, a possibility some have raised recently. “He is a person who once ran for president,” he said. The two are expected to meet today at the earliest to discuss the election. Chung Dong-young held a press conference in Washington on March 13 to declare his bid to run for a seat for the electoral district of Deokjin in Jeonju, North Jeolla, where he was elected twice in 1996 and 2000 as head of the then-governing Uri Party. Concerning the former minister’s pronounced ambition in his home town, where he began his career as a politician 13 years ago, DP leader Chung Sye-kyun was not encouraging. For Deokjin, the leading opposition party has earlier recommended a competent and promising candidate and had not considered Chung. The constituency has traditionally voted for the liberal party. The unexpected emergence of Chung, however, is set to upset the strategy. Chung, a former Unification Minister, studied at Duke University since last July following two defeats in a row - one in the 2008 legislative elections and before that, the 2007 presidential election. At the time of his last defeat he pledged to Dongjak voters that he would “bury his bone” in the district. Regarding Chung’s determination to restart his political career through the upcoming election, An Kyung-ryul, Secretary-General of the ruling Grand National Party, said, “I think someone who is not supposed to run in the election is trying to do so, disturbing the order of the political arena. But just because Chung has come out, we won’t introduce the strategy of putting up a dark horse as his counterpart.” He said that Chung may further erode the popularity of the DP. The April 29 by-elections will select five lawmakers. The polls will take place at five locations - Bupyeong-B of Incheon, Gyeongju of North Gyeongsang, Wansan-A and Deokjin of Jeonju, and Northern district of Ulsan. By Seo Ji-eun Staff Reporter [spring@joongang.co.kr] |
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