Former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo promised Thursday to fully assist the struggling campaign of Democratic United Party nominee Moon Jae-in.
Analysts are divided over whether their belated union could tilt the balance of the presidential race, currently in favor of Saenuri Party candidate Park Geun-hye.
“Today will be the watershed moment in the presidential election. I will do my best upholding the aspiration of the many people,” Ahn said after their 30-minute meeting at a restaurant in central Seoul.
The encounter was the first since Ahn quit the race on Nov. 23, abruptly ending their negotiations to unify their candidacy amid differences over merger rules.
“Ahn said he will be giving full support. I sincerely appreciate that,” said Moon smiling.
Sources said Ahn will join Moon’s campaign rally starting in Busan on Friday.
The spokesmen of the two sides later read out a joint statement, pledging a tight-knit cooperation ahead.
“We will gather our forces for the change of the administration and for the victory in the presidential election. We will also closely cooperate after the presidential election to overcome crisis and for new politics,” they said.
Ahn’s full support for Moon, long-awaited by Moon and much-dreaded by Park, is likely to pose a threat to the conservative flag-bearer Park’s campaign that has been going on a smooth rise with support ratings inching closer to the 50 percent mark.
The Saenuri Party attempted to downplay the renewed alliance, saying it was a much-anticipated step and not a new variable in the race.
Cho Hae-jin of the Saenuri Party noted the party anticipated that the merge of Moon and Ahn had been planned to create a “dramatic effect.”
“But we will continue our campaign, only consider the public, and will work hard to win an absolute majority,” Cho added.
Observers said the two’s renewed alliance will play a positive role, but that it remains to be seen whether it will directly lead to the rise in support by the moderate voters.
“It is positive. But it remains to be seen whether Moon will be able to narrow the gap with Park. It is positive but it must lead to actual votes,” professor Shin Yul of Myongji University said.
In a Realmeter survey commissioned by Herald Corp. earlier this week, Park received 48.8 percent of support in a mock multi-way race, compared to Moon’s 44.0 percent. To a question on who they would vote for if Ahn avidly supported Moon, 48.2 percent still chose Park, while 46.6 percent supported Moon.
Professor Yang Seung-ham of Yonsei University was more cautious.
“Ahn’s comments that the support will be unconditional, while saving face and maintaining his drive for new politics, can be interpreted as how he will not be too active. It can be seen that Ahn (is expressing his support) in his own way. The timing is not too late either. There is still ample time to see the effects (of his support). But it is questionable whether Ahn is truly willing to (join hands with Moon),“ Yang said.
Their meeting was arranged after Ahn reportedly called Moon, a day after the DUP candidate paid a visit to the former professor’s vacant home on Wednesday, only to return empty-handed.
Announcing their rendezvous, Ahn’s spokesman Yoo Min-young relayed Ahn’s message and said, “Ahn said that he will unconditionally offer assistance and believed that such action would complete the single candidacy process and lead to victory in the polls.”
“The reason why I withdrew from the race was to fully uphold the people’s desire for new politics and administration change by keeping to our promise of single candidacy. But the people’s concern that neither may be difficult to achieve is rising. I feel the responsibility to actively do what I can do,” Ahn was quoted as saying in the message.
Their meeting was widely covered by the media, with both men’s aides and journalists barricading the alleyway for a photo line, trying not to miss a word.
After the meeting, the two held hands for a photo after delivering short messages. To journalists’ request that they “hug it out,” Moon approached Ahn but Ahn, looking a little awkward, opted for Moon to put his arm around his back instead.
Ahn’s aides later explained that a working level team will be formed to discuss the schedule and method of the support that will begin as early as Friday.
By law, Ahn can show his support in public places through speeches, or make a supporting speech on television and radio upon designation by the candiate. He can also express his support through social networking service and text messages but cannot make stump speeches in lectures at schools.
Analysts are divided over whether their belated union could tilt the balance of the presidential race, currently in favor of Saenuri Party candidate Park Geun-hye.
“Today will be the watershed moment in the presidential election. I will do my best upholding the aspiration of the many people,” Ahn said after their 30-minute meeting at a restaurant in central Seoul.
The encounter was the first since Ahn quit the race on Nov. 23, abruptly ending their negotiations to unify their candidacy amid differences over merger rules.
“Ahn said he will be giving full support. I sincerely appreciate that,” said Moon smiling.
Sources said Ahn will join Moon’s campaign rally starting in Busan on Friday.
The spokesmen of the two sides later read out a joint statement, pledging a tight-knit cooperation ahead.
“We will gather our forces for the change of the administration and for the victory in the presidential election. We will also closely cooperate after the presidential election to overcome crisis and for new politics,” they said.
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| Former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo (left) and Democratic United Party nominee Moon Jae-in stand before a news conference after their meeting in Seoul on Thursday. (Chung Hee-cho/The Korea Herald) |
Ahn’s full support for Moon, long-awaited by Moon and much-dreaded by Park, is likely to pose a threat to the conservative flag-bearer Park’s campaign that has been going on a smooth rise with support ratings inching closer to the 50 percent mark.
The Saenuri Party attempted to downplay the renewed alliance, saying it was a much-anticipated step and not a new variable in the race.
Cho Hae-jin of the Saenuri Party noted the party anticipated that the merge of Moon and Ahn had been planned to create a “dramatic effect.”
“But we will continue our campaign, only consider the public, and will work hard to win an absolute majority,” Cho added.
Observers said the two’s renewed alliance will play a positive role, but that it remains to be seen whether it will directly lead to the rise in support by the moderate voters.
“It is positive. But it remains to be seen whether Moon will be able to narrow the gap with Park. It is positive but it must lead to actual votes,” professor Shin Yul of Myongji University said.
In a Realmeter survey commissioned by Herald Corp. earlier this week, Park received 48.8 percent of support in a mock multi-way race, compared to Moon’s 44.0 percent. To a question on who they would vote for if Ahn avidly supported Moon, 48.2 percent still chose Park, while 46.6 percent supported Moon.
Professor Yang Seung-ham of Yonsei University was more cautious.
“Ahn’s comments that the support will be unconditional, while saving face and maintaining his drive for new politics, can be interpreted as how he will not be too active. It can be seen that Ahn (is expressing his support) in his own way. The timing is not too late either. There is still ample time to see the effects (of his support). But it is questionable whether Ahn is truly willing to (join hands with Moon),“ Yang said.
Their meeting was arranged after Ahn reportedly called Moon, a day after the DUP candidate paid a visit to the former professor’s vacant home on Wednesday, only to return empty-handed.
Announcing their rendezvous, Ahn’s spokesman Yoo Min-young relayed Ahn’s message and said, “Ahn said that he will unconditionally offer assistance and believed that such action would complete the single candidacy process and lead to victory in the polls.”
“The reason why I withdrew from the race was to fully uphold the people’s desire for new politics and administration change by keeping to our promise of single candidacy. But the people’s concern that neither may be difficult to achieve is rising. I feel the responsibility to actively do what I can do,” Ahn was quoted as saying in the message.
Their meeting was widely covered by the media, with both men’s aides and journalists barricading the alleyway for a photo line, trying not to miss a word.
After the meeting, the two held hands for a photo after delivering short messages. To journalists’ request that they “hug it out,” Moon approached Ahn but Ahn, looking a little awkward, opted for Moon to put his arm around his back instead.
Ahn’s aides later explained that a working level team will be formed to discuss the schedule and method of the support that will begin as early as Friday.
By law, Ahn can show his support in public places through speeches, or make a supporting speech on television and radio upon designation by the candiate. He can also express his support through social networking service and text messages but cannot make stump speeches in lectures at schools.
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