Presidential Hopefuls Woo Kim Dae-jung
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
With five months to go before the election, presidential hopefuls from pro-government liberal groups are swarming around the residence of former President Kim Dae-jung in Seoul.
Their constant visits show Kim's continued influence in Korean politics, observers say.
Kim, the predecessor of President Roh Moo-hyun, has been reportedly calling for the creation of a grand coalition to beat the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) in the presidential election. The conservative GNP has denounced the former president for excessively intervening in politics.
On Monday, former Chairman Chung Dong-young, of the pro-government Uri Party, visited Kim's home in Donggyo-dong, and sought Kim's blessing, party sources said.
A former unification minister, Chung announced his presidential bid on July 3 after deserting the embattled Uri Party.
``I can stand on the legitimacy of 10 years of democratic government,'' Chung said. ``I will endeavor to achieve a grand coalition of liberal forces and become a presidential candidate through an open primary race.''
Liberal groups, including the Uri Party and the Centrist United Democratic Party, have discussed ways to merge and pick a single candidate to run in the presidential election through the primary system.
Under the scheme, non-party members are entitled to vote to select a candidate.
Other contenders who have visited Kim's house include independent Chun Jung-bae; former Minister of Government Administration and Home Affairs Kim Doo-kwan; and former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.
The former president advised those visitors to join hands to create a grand alliance as early as possible, saying there is no time to waste, party sources said.
Political observers said that pro-government candidates are seeking Kim's endorsement because of his strong hold over the Jeolla provinces in the southwestern part of the country.
These hopefuls can win support from the area by insisting they are the right person to succeed Kim, they said.
``Once pro-government presidential hopefuls win the hearts of the Jeolla provinces, they can also receive support from Seoul and its vicinity,'' a Uri official said. ``For those runners, Jeolla's support is essential to gain more than 10 percent support nationwide.''
The GNP criticized Kim and the pro-government presidential hopefuls. ``Once outstanding figures are now kneeling before Kim Dae-jung,'' said Rep. Kim Hyong-o, floor leader of the GNP. ``He should act in a more composed manner as a former head of state.''