A key aide said Friday independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo will remain in the presidential race until the end, further complicating the prospect of a single opposition candidacy against Saenuri nominee Park Geun-hye.

When asked whether the former software businessman and professor would run till the end during a radio interview with PBC, Keum Tae-sup, an attorney and situation room chief for Ahn’s campaign, said, “Of course.”

Ahn is widely expected to ally with Rep. Moon Jae-in, the main opposition Democratic United Party’s standard bearer, ahead of the Dec. 19 election.

Keum’s remark is seen as a move to take a better position in future negotiations with the DUP over the merger of candidacy. The DUP has pressed Ahn, with no party affiliation, to withdraw.

Keum expressed skepticism about Ahn creating a new party, saying “it seems time is running out to take that direction.”

Ahn, 50, also said he would put political reforms ahead of electoral maneuvering later in the day.

“The people want two things from me: political reform and change of government,” Ahn said in a speech at Woosuk University in North Jeolla Province on Friday.

“I hope that political reform will happen not only in the Saenuri Party but also in the Democratic United Party so that they will be reborn as parties that truly reflect the people’s wants.”

Observers forecast that Ahn and Moon will go through a primary or other methods to pick a single contender for the opposition camp to beat Park Geun-hye, the ruling Saenuri Party’s formidable candidate.

Polls have shown that in a three-way race Park would likely win with the solid conservative support base. In a head-to-head matchup, however, either Ahn has better chances to take over Cheong Wa Dae.

“I’ve crossed the river and burnt the bridge,” Ahn told an event in Seoul on Sept. 25 to support PD’s Notebook, an MBC television program that has become a beacon for the freedom of press.

Keum exposed a month ago that he was blackmailed by a Saenuri official in an apparent effort to keep the widely respected Ahn from running for president.

The liberal-minded software tycoon is expected to unveil his vision for Korean society and a fresh batch of election pledges on Sunday, which may entail a roadmap for political reform, a crucial factor for a coalition with Moon.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)