15 Opposition Presidential Candidates Already... Aiming for a 'Comeback Drama'

No Prominent Faction in People Power Party... Multiple Challenges Aiming to Be the Unexpected Winner
Presidential Bid May Be a Strategy to 'Raise Name Value'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] As conservative opposition parties continue to announce their presidential candidacies, the number of potential candidates has reached 15. In the absence of a clear frontrunner within the opposition, many are rushing to throw their hats into the ring, hoping to become the unexpected winner like the 'Lee Jun-seok wave.'

On the 13th, Park Jin, a member of the People Power Party, declared his candidacy. Within the People Power Party, before Park's announcement, Ha Tae-kyung and Yoon Hee-sook, members of the National Assembly, Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), Ahn Sang-soo, former mayor of Incheon, and Jang Ki-pyo, chairman of the Gyeongnam Gimhae-eul district party committee, had declared their presidential bids. Kim Tae-ho is also scheduled to announce his candidacy on the 15th. Although Hong Joon-pyo, former member of the National Assembly Yoo Seung-min, and Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong have not made official announcements, they are reportedly coordinating the timing of their candidacies.

Outside the party, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl registered as a preliminary presidential candidate with the election commission the day before. Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon, and former member of the National Assembly Jang Sung-min are also weighing the timing of their candidacy announcements.

Analysts suggest that the absence of a prominent 'faction' within the People Power Party has made it possible for many figures to challenge for the presidency. When a so-called 'leader' runs as a presidential candidate, members of the same faction tend to support them, but that is not the case now. The lack of a clear frontrunner is also a factor encouraging many to declare their candidacies. Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University’s Department of Political Science and Diplomacy explained, "Since there is no mainstream faction within the party, an atmosphere has formed where people can do what they want without worrying about others. This is similar to the situation when many candidates registered for party leader and supreme councilor positions in the last party convention."

There is also an analysis that the possibility of writing an 'upset drama' continues from the 'Lee Jun-seok + Oh Se-hoon effect.' When Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon declared his candidacy for the April 7 by-election, his approval ratings were low, but he consecutively surpassed prominent party contenders. Similarly, Lee Jun-seok defeated formidable seniors such as former lawmaker Na Kyung-won and Joo Ho-young. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Seeing unexpected figures emerge creates an environment where underdogs?those with low chances of winning who have been holding back?also have opportunities."

It is also possible that running for president is simply a strategy to 'raise name recognition.' For those who are already multi-term lawmakers or have held key positions, continuously increasing their name recognition helps expand their influence and prolong their political careers. If they raise their profile in this presidential election, they can aim for local elections next year or the next party convention. Eom Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, said, "There are two goals when running for president: one is to actually become the presidential candidate, and the other is to increase recognition to prepare for the next election."

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