Han selects enemy turf for first outside-Seoul council meet, pays respect to Roh


The main opposition Democratic United Party has begun implementing its strategies to win votes in the Busan and South Gyeongsang regions, where battles are expected to be the fiercest in the upcoming April general election.

The party’s newly elected six-member Supreme Council, including chair Han Myeong-sook, held its second meeting in Busan on Wednesday and also visited neighboring Gimhae, hometown and gravesite of the late President Roh Moo-hyun.

This was also the first trip in which the new leadership took out of Seoul since its election on Sunday.

“We believe that we may abolish the long-standing regionalism in elections,” said Han, after paying their respects at Roh’s burial site.

“Many ‘little Rohs” are willing to take their chances in Busan.”

She thus referred to the party’s leading members who gave up other advantageous constituencies and decided to challenge for a parliamentary seat in Busan.

The list included the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation chairman Moon Jae-in, Supreme Councilor Moon Sung-keun and former administration minister Kim Jung-kil.

Former Supreme Council member and presidential potential Rep. Chung Dong-young also reportedly has his eye on a Busan seat.

The corresponding South Gyeongsang area has traditionally been considered a right-wing stronghold but the leading liberal party recently vowed to change that.

After meeting with Kwon Yang-sook, the late president’s bereaved wife, the council moved to downtown Busan to hold its meeting, during which it appointed its key officials.

As the party’s secretary-general, Han named Im Jong-seok, former Democratic Party lawmaker who was stripped of electoral candidacy in December as his former aide was declared guilty of bribery.

“Im was a political scapegoat for ruling party members,” said the party’s spokesperson.

Observers also suggested that Han’s decision reflected her determination to reform the prosecution, especially as she was also recently acquitted of similar bribery allegations.

Former Democratic Party spokesperson Rep. Lee Yong-sub was named policy committee chairman and former floor spokesperson Rep. Hong Young-pyo the party leader’s secretary.

Later, the decision-making body also held an open forum with merchants in a traditional market and met with local small and medium-sized business owners.

“The upcoming general elections will be the turning point for the distorted custom of regionalism in our society,” the spokesperson said.

“Especially, citizens of Busan and South Gyeongsang Province will be witnesses to the liberal victory.”

On Tuesday, members are to move on to Gwangju, the party’s spiritual hometown, and to pay their respect to the National Cemetery, officials said.

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