[Deputy Editor's Column] Is There a Presidential Election Drama Without a Scenario?

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "A candidate with 2% approval rating, the last place contender, begins to shake the entire nation." The documentary film 'I Am Roh Moo-hyun' entices the audience with a 'copy' related to the dramatic presidential election showdown. It is about former President Roh Moo-hyun, who proved the destructive power of the 'underdog effect' in Korean politics.

A common misconception about politician Roh Moo-hyun is the interpretation that a 'nameless politician' suddenly appeared one day and became the presidential election winner. However, the reality is different. In July 1999, a leading current affairs weekly magazine featured a cover model titled 'Next-generation leadership preferred by the public.' That model was politician Roh Moo-hyun.

On the 23rd, the 10th anniversary of the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun, a citizen is taking a photo with a mobile phone at the citizen memorial altar installed in front of Daehanmun Gate, Deoksugung Palace, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

This means that the public had already marked him as the next leader three years before the presidential election. When politician Roh Moo-hyun entered the party primary, his approval rating and organizational base were weak, but he held a 'sure card' that could move the hearts of party members.

On March 13, 2002, SBS reported on its main news, "Democratic Party advisor Roh Moo-hyun is narrowly ahead of Grand National Party chairman Lee Hoi-chang, according to SBS opinion poll results," adding, "This is the first time the ruling party's candidate has risen to first place in a hypothetical match-up." Politician Roh Moo-hyun's victory in the party primary, overcoming the 'Lee In-je trend,' was due to the expectation that choosing him would lead to winning the presidential election.

Elections are not products of chance. The assumption that a new figure will emerge and receive explosive support from the people is close to a 'mirage' in real politics. This is a point that the United Future Party, which experienced a crushing defeat in the general election, must not forget.

Min Kyung-wook, a member of the United Future Party, attended the "April 15 General Election Vote Manipulation Suspicion Truth Investigation and National Sovereignty Restoration Rally" held at the National Assembly on the 11th, holding a placard and shouting slogans with other participants. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The party can only escape the defeatist mindset if it gives the belief that nominating this person as a candidate will succeed in regaining power. Less than one year and ten months remain until the next presidential election. It has been almost a month since the general election ended, yet inside the United Future Party, the political conspiracy theory of 'vote counting manipulation' has not subsided.

Instead of a painful repentance and reflection on the public sentiment expressed in the general election, they are wasting time in irrelevant debates. While the 'political clock' is dynamically moving toward the presidential election, only the 'United Future Party clock' remains carefree and undisturbed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.