Posted on 05/29/2006 7:59:05 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Opposition looks to landslide in S.Korea elections
By Jack Kim
Mon May 29, 7:14 AM ET
South Korea's opposition Grand National Party (GNP) appears headed for a landslide victory in local elections on Wednesday, suggesting an electoral shift to the right ahead of next year's vote for the presidency.
The vote for nearly 3,900 posts is unlikely to affect South Korea's economic and national security policies, but it will be watched closely by both neighbors and Washington as a barometer of support for President Roh Moo-hyun and the ruling Uri Party.
South Korea and the United States, Seoul's most important military ally, have at times appeared more than usually out of step during Roh's three years in office on how to deal with North Korea's nuclear ambitions and the changing security environment.
Public confidence in Roh, a liberal who won the presidential vote in 2002, and his Uri Party has dwindled because of what many see as their arrogant and incompetent handling of both domestic and foreign affairs.
Seoul's relations with Tokyo are at a low ebb over Japan's wartime past and territorial disputes.
Ties with the United States, meanwhile, have been strained by what many in Washington view as Seoul's inclination to engage with North Korea rather than confront it. The two sparred recently over human rights in North Korea, with Seoul accusing a U.S. envoy of being biased and ill-informed.
"There seems to be a total rejection of Roh Moo-hyun style of government," said independent political analyst Yu Chang-sun.
"The outcome of the elections and the political realignment that follows will produce a more conservative orientation of the voters and the elected officials," Yu said.
PRESIDENTIAL POINTERS
The conservative GNP has said South Korea must shore up relations with the United States, while pressing the North to keep its promises to ease military tensions and address the South's questions about prisoners of war and civilian abductees.
The elections may have implications for the presidential race next year, as a GNP victory could boost the standing of its candidates for the country's top leadership spot while triggering calls both within and outside Uri for the split of the party.
The GNP has called Wednesday "a judgment day" for Roh and Uri, calling on the voters to deliver a vote of no confidence against an "incompetent and irresponsible government."
The Uri Party has launched last-ditch campaigns to salvage its few remaining traditional strongholds of Taejong and North Cholla, which have become hotly contested areas.
"I ask you to hold off a Grand National Party sweep," Uri Chairman Chung Dong-young said at one of several campaign rallies in the past week, his face showing the fatigue and desperation of the past 100 days he has been party leader.
Nearly 3,900 local government leadership and representative offices are up for grabs, including the mayor of Seoul, arguably the second most important elected position in the country.
Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon leads a large pack of conservative GNP candidates who appear strong in public opinion polls, including 11 of the 16 governors and major city mayors.
Oh, if elected over the ruling Uri Party's Kang Kum-sil, will replace Mayor Lee Myung-bak, who is also from the GNP and considered a leading candidate for the country's presidency.
Analysts say the elections could be a watershed for GNP leader Park Geun-hye's so-far undeclared campaign for president if she leads her party to a decisive victory.
Park, a daughter of assassinated former President Park Chung-hee, saw her popularity edge up after she was slashed in the cheek by an assailant at a campaign rally on May 20.
Ping!
"Public confidence in Roh, a liberal who won the presidential vote in 2002, and his Uri Party has dwindled because of what many see as their arrogant and incompetent handling of both domestic and foreign affairs."
IN 2002, I described Roh as "South Korea's Jimmy Carter"...
hmmm, perhaps I was right!
Old Jimmah is not as twisted as Roh, in my opinion. Roh's 'in-your-face' attitude is legendary. He is Hitlery+'Joe Lockhart.'
So what is there to know about Goh Gun? Is he a run-of-the-mill socialist?
is this good news or bad news for us? and why the hell do we still have american troops there?
Last I heard we were drawing down our troops in South Korea.
At the end of 2005 there were supposed to be 12,000 troops less there, with about 25,000 left.
Anybody who has more recent information, please comment.
He is a man of all seasons. He was at cabinet level posts under every admin since 70's. He has no color. Basically, he is an opportunist. Now, he positions himself for a magnet for erst-while pinko supporters and independents. This time it is less of an ideology contest than regional rivalry. He tries to corner Choong-chung and Cholla Province, geographically, region bordering Yellow Sea and south of Seoul. Add some disgruntles pinko votes and he may feel he has a shot.
Since GNP is conservative and pro-U.S., it is a good news.
We're ill-informed. Lets go home.
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