By Choi Ha-young
Speculation is growing that former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo may run for Seoul mayor in the local election in June.
Last week, the Bareun Mirae Party (BMP) was created through a merger between the People's Party and the conservative Bareun Party. Ahn is strongly considered as the BMP's candidate for the Seoul mayoral election.
"It is true party officials are increasingly calling for Ahn's candidacy for the Seoul mayor post," Rep. Kim Kwan-young, secretary general of the BMP, said in a recent radio interview.
"Personally, I think his candidacy would be in line with his devotion and efforts for the party. It is meaningful, since the Seoul mayoral election affects nationwide gubernatorial and mayoral elections."
Ahn's candidacy emerged months ago. For the minor centrist party, Ahn is the sole heavyweight who can grab voters' attention. BMP officials view the upcoming election as a barometer to test the party's sustainability.
"We will do our best to enhance the party's support rate, by differentiating the BMP from the two largest parties ― the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP)," Yoo Seong-min, co-chairman of the BMP, said in a press conference last week.
"Ahn is the largest asset of the party. He will do whatever he is required to do," said Park Joo-sun, co-chairman of the party.
However, the challenge could damage the former presidential candidate's political career if he receives meager support. Incumbent Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of the DPK has cemented his dominance with a 30.8 percent approval rating, according to a poll issued Friday.
Ahn only received 8.2 percent which is lower than possible candidates from the LKP ― former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon with 10.4 percent and former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn with 9 percent.
If he throws his hat in the ring, the election race would be a deja-vu of the 2011 byelection to pick the mayor. At that time, Ahn made way for Park Won-soon despite having higher popularity.
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| Ahn Cheol-soo |
Last week, the Bareun Mirae Party (BMP) was created through a merger between the People's Party and the conservative Bareun Party. Ahn is strongly considered as the BMP's candidate for the Seoul mayoral election.
"It is true party officials are increasingly calling for Ahn's candidacy for the Seoul mayor post," Rep. Kim Kwan-young, secretary general of the BMP, said in a recent radio interview.
"Personally, I think his candidacy would be in line with his devotion and efforts for the party. It is meaningful, since the Seoul mayoral election affects nationwide gubernatorial and mayoral elections."
Ahn's candidacy emerged months ago. For the minor centrist party, Ahn is the sole heavyweight who can grab voters' attention. BMP officials view the upcoming election as a barometer to test the party's sustainability.
"We will do our best to enhance the party's support rate, by differentiating the BMP from the two largest parties ― the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP)," Yoo Seong-min, co-chairman of the BMP, said in a press conference last week.
"Ahn is the largest asset of the party. He will do whatever he is required to do," said Park Joo-sun, co-chairman of the party.
However, the challenge could damage the former presidential candidate's political career if he receives meager support. Incumbent Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of the DPK has cemented his dominance with a 30.8 percent approval rating, according to a poll issued Friday.
Ahn only received 8.2 percent which is lower than possible candidates from the LKP ― former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon with 10.4 percent and former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn with 9 percent.
If he throws his hat in the ring, the election race would be a deja-vu of the 2011 byelection to pick the mayor. At that time, Ahn made way for Park Won-soon despite having higher popularity.
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