[Politics, That Day...] 'People's Prosecutor' Andaehee, Experiencing the Wall of Real-World Politics in the 'Mapo Battle'

2016 20th General Election Seoul Mapo-gap Challenge, Face-off with Assemblyman No Woong-rae... Election Emphasizing the Importance of 'Politician DNA'

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "Politics, That Day..." is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the 'recollection of memories' related to notable scenes, events, or figures.

Ahn Dae-hee, former Supreme Court Justice

There are many prosecutors-turned-politicians such as Kim Ki-chun and Hwang Kyo-ahn, but it is hard to find anyone who experienced as much popular support during their time as a prosecutor as this person did. The protagonist is Ahn Dae-hee, who was called the "People's Prosecutor." During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he served as the head of the Central Investigation Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and received great expectations and attention for his investigation into illegal presidential election funds.

Gifts supporting Chief Investigator Ahn Dae-hee poured in from all over the country. Whether in the past or now, the profession of a prosecutor rarely gains popular favor, but Ahn Dae-hee was different. If he had shown any particular political bias or partiality in his investigations, it would have been difficult for him to earn the reputation of the People's Prosecutor.

He was praised for applying strict investigative standards regardless of the status or position, including those in power. While this stance may have made the core of power uncomfortable at the time, it was a scene that resonated with the public. As he gained national support, calls from the political world followed.

However, he continued his legal career as the Chief Prosecutor of Busan High Prosecutors' Office, Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, and eventually as a Supreme Court Justice. How might his life have changed if he had ended his public service after serving as a Supreme Court Justice? Ahead of the 2012 presidential election, he was recruited as the Special Committee Chairman for Political Reform of the Saenuri Party, marking the official start of his political career.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On May 22, 2014, President Park Geun-hye nominated former Supreme Court Justice Ahn Dae-hee as the new Prime Minister. This was a moment when the political value of Ahn Dae-hee skyrocketed. Although he failed to pass the National Assembly confirmation hearing and did not become Prime Minister, he rose to a position regarded as a "presidential hopeful." Having also served as a Supreme Council member of the Saenuri Party, did he successfully break through the walls of practical politics and achieve a smooth landing?

Despite the weakness of having no experience in public elections, expectations remained high. There was speculation that if he debuted on the political stage in Yeouido as a member of the National Assembly, he could dream even bigger. The problem was that his "political DNA" had not been verified.

Evaluations of a prosecutor's capabilities and meeting expectations as a politician are different matters. While some former prosecutors, like Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, successfully made a smooth transition as popular politicians, many others have disappeared from the political stage after experiencing the limitations of lacking "political DNA."

Politician Ahn Dae-hee was a figure who received expectations comparable to any other former prosecutor-turned-politician in history. It was natural that attention focused on his challenge in the 20th general election. His choice of constituency was not a stronghold of the Saenuri Party but the "heart of politics," Seoul.

No Woong-rae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

When politician Ahn Dae-hee prepared to run in Seoul Mapo Gap, it instantly became the most watched electoral district. If he had won the general election in Seoul, he could have become a first-term lawmaker with political weight equivalent to a senior member.

The "Mapo showdown" took place in April 2016. His opponent was politician Roh Woong-rae. In many ways, politician Roh Woong-rae was a figure often compared to politician Ahn Dae-hee. Especially in terms of constituency management, the two started from different points.

Roh Woong-rae, the Democratic Party candidate, inherited the Mapo stronghold from his late father, former lawmaker Roh Seung-hwan. He was regarded as one of the best constituency managers among Democratic Party lawmakers. He had rich experience running in general elections, from the 17th general election in 2004 through the 18th and 19th general elections.

Ahn Dae-hee, the Saenuri Party candidate, was regarded as a presidential hopeful, but the reality of politics was not easy. Mapo was considered a tough district for the Saenuri Party, and his opponent Roh Woong-rae was a formidable rival.

The result of the Mapo showdown was far from close. It ended with a one-sided victory for Roh Woong-rae. Roh Woong-rae was elected with 44,451 votes, securing 51.92% of the vote. Ahn Dae-hee received only 28,429 votes, or 33.20%. It was a crushing defeat by a margin of over 15,000 votes.

Practical politics is often likened to a jungle. Many who were regarded as promising outside the Yeouido political stage have tasted bitter defeat upon joining politics. Although former Supreme Court Justice Ahn Dae-hee's moves continued to attract attention after the 2016 Mapo showdown, the 20th general election was his last run for public office.

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