Former news anchor targets Saenuri seat

This is the third in a series introducing the key inter-party battle fields in the upcoming April 11 general elections. ― Ed.

The ruling party was expecting an easy victory in the Seoul district of Youngdeungpo-B until the opposition party made an aggressive move by naming a rising political rookie in the area.

The constituency is not only the most crucial one in southwestern Seoul but also holds a symbolic significance as it embraces Yeouido where the National Assembly building is located.

The main opposition Democratic United Party nominated its spokesperson and novice member Shin Kyoung-min, to rival Rep. Kwon Young-se, secretary-general and third-term lawmaker of the ruling Saenuri Party.

Former MBC news anchor Shin was originally rumored to be a proportional representative potential but accepted the party’s offer in a bid to expand the liberal opposition’s influence in the capital.

“It may be a tough competition but its worth the challenge,” said Shin, who kicked off his campaign Saturday.

The constituency has long been classified as a right-wing stronghold, largely due to the residents’ support of redevelopment. In the past parliamentary vote back in 2008, the former Grand National Party won a sweeping victory there with a turnout of 57.6 percent.

But the DUP thinks the area’s political temper has changed. It says the current government’s failure to revive the local economy.

Should the novice figure beat Kwon, it would be a severe blow to the Saenuri Party, not only in the April race but also in the presidential election in December.

Observers speculate that the DUP nomination of the former anchor to the constituency was related to the ongoing walkouts held by major broadcasters, such as KBS and MBC, whose headquarters are located in Yeouido, Youngdeungpo.

Though Shin has just geared up for his race, he has already came within the margin of error, closely trailing his opponent, in most public polls.

Saenuri’s Kwon, too, has just stepped up his campaigns, but his schedule is caught up in the aftermaths of the party’s internal feud over candidate nomination.

Despite his position as a incumbent representative, Kwon has found relatively little time to canvass the Youngdeungpo area, as he is preoccupied with the party’s election committee and candidate registration.

The right-wing party has been dogged by factional disputes, as those denied candidacy accused the leadership of political revenge on pro-Lee Myung-bak figures. Some even quit the party and pledged to run as independent candidates or joined a different party.

Many observers think Kwon could recreate the success he enjoyed in 2004, when he won a parliamentary seat despite the party’s plunging polls.

The prosecutor-turned-lawmaker is also a key power within the Saenuri Party, especially since he rose last year as a confidant to party leader and presidential hopeful Rep. Park.

The ruling party is thus set out to throw its support behind Kwon and his symbolic parliamentary seat in his constituency, officials said.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldm.com)