Now that Ahn Cheol-soo and Rep. Moon Jae-in are set on seeking a candidacy merger, the key point of concern for their supporters is whether the two have so far reached a general consensus in terms of policies.

Both candidates repeatedly spoke of a value-based alliance and pledged not to seek unity only for the sake of an election victory.

“It would be good for me and Moon to meet first to share each other’s values and philosophies and to agree on political reform,” Ahn said Monday, reiterating his position that detailed policy talks should come after reforms.

His prudent approach, however, boosted the public’s anxiousness as the candidate registration for the Dec. 19 election is to take place within weeks, on Nov. 25-26.

The main opposition Democratic United Party’s flag-bearer Moon has so far taken a step ahead of his non-party rival who is yet to round off his policy development this weekend.

Despite their different progress in the election timetable, however, the two candidates are considered to be on the same political path, especially compared to their common rival Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party.

When it comes to political reform, one of the top election slogans, both candidates have called for the dispersion of presidential power, blasting the current system of “imperial presidency.”

Though Moon stood against some of the details in Ahn’s political reform plan, such as cutting down on the 300-member parliament, the two agreed that the number of proportional representative seats need to be increased to promote diversity in the legislature.

They also unanimously pushed to reform the jurisdiction, reduce the excessive authority of the prosecution and introduce an independent investigation body to take charge of corruption cases involving high-ranking officials.

Their difference is that Ahn called for the total abolition of the prosecution’s central investigation body, whereas Moon only claimed that some of its roles should be taken away.

The left-inclined candidates also adopt a similar view on economic policies, both supporting a reinforced set of regulations on conglomerates.

Ahn said that he will ban cross-shareholding in the future and reintroduce an equity investment ceiling system on the top 10 companies. Moon generally agreed, but he took a step further and decided to apply a retroactive effect to the measures, forcing conglomerates to reorganize their affiliates.

“The economic policies of the two candidates coincide by up to 90 percent, and their political policies by over 70 percent,” said Cho Kuk, law professor at Seoul National University, late last month.

Cho is one of the representative progressive academics who have been seeking to actualize the Moon-Ahn unity.

“In the big picture, they may be regarded as being in the same line,” Cho said.

“Their candidacy unification is a vital step in achieving their common goal.”

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