Appoints former Roh aide as
spokesperson
Software-mogul-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo appeared to be preparing to enter the presidential race by naming Yoo Min-young, a former presidential press secretary, as his spokesman.
Ahn, 50, has recently been polling just behind Saenuri Party’s presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye in various popularity polls of potential presidential candidates.
The founder of anti-virus software firm AhnLab emerged on the political scene before the Seoul mayoral by-election in October when his support helped Park Won-soon secure a smooth win against ruling party candidate Na Kyung-won.
Although Ahn has never clarified his intentions, he has since been considered a potential presidential candidate.
“The appointment of Yoo as his spokesman means it may be imminent for Ahn to make his presidential bid official,” an inside source said.
Yoo, president of public relations firm Peak 15, confirmed on Friday he has been tapped to act as Ahn’s spokesman.
Yoo was a press secretary for former President Roh Moo-hyun during the time when Moon Jae-in, another opposition presidential hopeful, was a chief secretary for civil affairs and chief of staff. Yoo is said to enjoy a wide network of pro-Roh figures.
Yoo entered politics as a secretary to the late Kim Geun-tae, a dissident-turned-lawmaker, and helped Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in his campaign in October. Yoo is also an adjunct professor at Hallym University in Chuncheon.
Ahn, a former medical doctor and currently a dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at Seoul National University, enjoys popularity among younger voters, largely attributed to his clean image.
Ahn is scheduled to make a public appearance on Wednesday, when he will deliver a speech on pending political and social issues under the title “What we Need Now” at Pusan National University.
Moon has been seeking ways to align with Ahn to go up against Park Geun-hye.
After the April 11 general election, Moon suggested creating a “joint administration” with Ahn in a media interview in a format similar to the alliance between President Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil in the 1997 presidential election, upon which one became president and the other prime minister.
Ahn is set to launch a charity foundation next month headed by former lawmaker Park Young-sook, who had close ties with Kim Dae-jung.
By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldm.com)
Software-mogul-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo appeared to be preparing to enter the presidential race by naming Yoo Min-young, a former presidential press secretary, as his spokesman.
Ahn, 50, has recently been polling just behind Saenuri Party’s presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye in various popularity polls of potential presidential candidates.
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| Ahn Cheol-soo |
The founder of anti-virus software firm AhnLab emerged on the political scene before the Seoul mayoral by-election in October when his support helped Park Won-soon secure a smooth win against ruling party candidate Na Kyung-won.
Although Ahn has never clarified his intentions, he has since been considered a potential presidential candidate.
“The appointment of Yoo as his spokesman means it may be imminent for Ahn to make his presidential bid official,” an inside source said.
Yoo, president of public relations firm Peak 15, confirmed on Friday he has been tapped to act as Ahn’s spokesman.
Yoo was a press secretary for former President Roh Moo-hyun during the time when Moon Jae-in, another opposition presidential hopeful, was a chief secretary for civil affairs and chief of staff. Yoo is said to enjoy a wide network of pro-Roh figures.
Yoo entered politics as a secretary to the late Kim Geun-tae, a dissident-turned-lawmaker, and helped Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in his campaign in October. Yoo is also an adjunct professor at Hallym University in Chuncheon.
Ahn, a former medical doctor and currently a dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at Seoul National University, enjoys popularity among younger voters, largely attributed to his clean image.
Ahn is scheduled to make a public appearance on Wednesday, when he will deliver a speech on pending political and social issues under the title “What we Need Now” at Pusan National University.
Moon has been seeking ways to align with Ahn to go up against Park Geun-hye.
After the April 11 general election, Moon suggested creating a “joint administration” with Ahn in a media interview in a format similar to the alliance between President Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil in the 1997 presidential election, upon which one became president and the other prime minister.
Ahn is set to launch a charity foundation next month headed by former lawmaker Park Young-sook, who had close ties with Kim Dae-jung.
By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldm.com)
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