S.Korean Presidential Election -- A Battle Between Two Main Competitors

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 19, 2002

S.Korean Presidential Election -- A Battle Between Two Main Competitors

No one could forecast who will win the president position tomorrow in South Korea's election, but every body said it would be a fierce battle between two main competitors.

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No one could forecast who will win the president position tomorrow in South Korea's election, but every body said it would be a fierce battle between two main competitors.

Roh Moo-hyun, the presidential candidate of the pro-government Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), and Lee Hoi-chang, the country's biggest opposition Grand National Party (GNP)'s candidate, are the two main favorites among the South Korean electorate.

The other four registered candidates are believed to have slim light of the triumph.

They are from the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), Hanaro NationalUnion and Socialist Party of Korea (SPK). And monk Kim Gil-su fromthe Beopryunsa temple.

According to South Koran National Election Commission (NEC), inthe 16th presidential election, some 35 million people are eligible to cast their ballots, about 72.6 percent of the whole population.

The election is an important one, meaning it marks an end to decades of political domination by the so-called "three Kims," -- former president Kim Young-sam, outgoing President Kim Dae-jung and ex-prime minister Kim Jong-pil.

Moreover, the result will affect the orientation of South Korea's future politics, economy and the inter-Korean relations.

Now, all the candidates, especially Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Hoi-chang, are desperately using the last minutes before the vote to woo the support of the voters.

The two main contenders are deuce in the competition since theyhave been in front of each other in opinion polls in different period of time this year.

Just after Roh Moo-hyun won the primary in the MDP in late April 2002, "Roh wind" whirled all over the country in the consecutive two months. At that time, Roh's image was popular in cities and rural areas, for his grass roots origin and his experience as human rights lawyer.

However, his popularity soon went down as his adversary Lee Hoi-chang strengthened his publicity attack. Then Lee enjoyed long time of leading status among various polls. His reputation and supporting rate reached peak in October, when GNP defeated the MDPin the National Assembly by-elections overwhelmingly.

Among total 13 seats, the GNP grasp 11, far more than the MDP's2 seats, which then surged turmoil in the MDP, even touched the foundation of Roh's candidate status in the pro-government party.

Some party members who opposed Roh Moo-hyun and attributed the defeat to him hailed ultimate reform of the MDP.

Moreover, some 30 detectors even drop out the MDP and joined other political party, including the GNP.

Simultaneously, Lee Hoi-chang gained support from another important political character Park Geun-hye, the daughter of former South Korean president Park Chung-hee. As leader of the Korean Coalition to the Future (KCF), Park pledged to work for thevictory of Lee Hoi-chang in the presidential competition.

It seems all development favored Lee Hoi-Chang.

However, Chung Moon-joon's decision to run the race abruptly changed the landscape of the election campaign in October. Chung, a sports officer, had gained high reputation among South Koreans, for the national squad became top four in June in the World Cup under his leadership.

Then, in a public survey conducted on Nov. 24 Roh defeated Chung only by tiny dominance and became the unified candidate.

Analysts says this election is the contend between the "progressive" (Roh) and "conservative" (Lee).

It not only means Roh is about ten years younger than Lee, but also refers to their campaign pledges.

As on the South Korean economy, Roh promised to prevent the strengthening of chaebol (plutocrat)'s influence on the economy, and impose comprehensive tax of inheritances and gifts by the wealthy, while expanding policies like employee share holdings.

In contrast, Lee's policy on the chaebol is deemed more friendly, only alleged to make large shareholders personally responsible for failed management. And his catholicon to promote the economy is focusing on the fiscal policies.

While on the political reform, Roh has pledged to revise the Constitution at the end of the 17th National Assembly, to be inaugurated after the general election in 2004. According to his design, some of president's rights will be transferred to the prime minister and the parliament.

The GNP's nominee only said he will introduce a vice president system to the vague future constitution.

Recently, the two-way election campaigns were concentrating on capital relocation.

Lee criticized Roh's pledge to move administrative capital to Chungcheong Province, central area of South Korea, merely to woo supports from there and thus will lead to Seoul's economic collapse. Roh rebuffed Lee's condemnation, saying growing population in the capital, about 48 percent of the whole population of the country, caused severe traffic, economic, housing as well as environmental problems.

Another major difference is the South Korean policy toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Roh claimed Kim Dae-jung's "Sunshine Policy" should be adhered continually, and the alleged nuclear weapons issue of the DPRK only can be resolved through dialogue. While, Lee held a little harder attitude on the DPRK, saying if necessary, he may address the issue via economic sanction.

Now the two main powers are using the last chance to appeal thevoters, especially the undecided voters, by all means. Even tonight, they and their allies still have various plan to play in the street.

Although a series of unofficial surveys allege Roh still holds the leading place by tiny advantage, only at the last time can they know who wins the race, analysts predicted.

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