Moon Jae-in

By Kim Susan Se-jeong

Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party (DUP) plans to announce his bid to run in the presidential election on June 17.

“I have the best competitive edge in the DUP,” said the presidential hopeful at a meeting at the National Assembly, Tuesday. “With me as a candidate, we can bring about a change of government and win against the Saenuri Party’s Park Geun-hye.”

In the meeting, Moon stated that he will formally announce his presidential bid on June 17, and declared his hopes of defeating the Park, who is the ruling party’s unrivaled potential candidate.

While discussing a number of party concerns, he said, “Citizens fear that we only have welfare and economic democratization on the forefront and are putting economic development to one side.” He said that the party aims to improve both development and welfare.

Another potential contender that was brought up was Ahn Cheol-soo, a software mogul-turned-Seoul National University professor, from outside the party. It is rumored that he may run for candidacy, but Ahn has not yet made any declarations on whether or not he will do so.

In response to questions about Ahn, Moon said that the base of support from the DUP gives him an important edge over potential competition.

“Once the party unites as a whole and selects me as the candidate, the support will be incomparable to that of the present,” said Moon, adamant in his faith. “I think that the DUP cannot lose.”