[Inside Chodong] The Bible of Presidential Victory: 'Sleeping with the Enemy'

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Former Saenuri Party leader Han Hwa-gap, who was called the ‘Little DJ (former President Kim Dae-jung),’ declared his support for Park Geun-hye, the Saenuri Party candidate, on December 6, 2012, just 13 days before the presidential election. The political rationale was "supporting candidate Park Geun-hye to practice East-West harmony."

On the same day the Democratic United Party showcased the ‘Moon Jae-in?Ahn Cheol-soo’ joint event, the Saenuri Party countered with a support declaration from Han Hwa-gap, a politician who served as the ruling party leader during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. The Democratic Party activated a ‘traitor frame,’ claiming it was an act against DJ’s will, but the political damage already experienced was irreversible.

‘Sleeping with the enemy’ in a presidential election is the bible of victory. Recruiting a heavyweight politician from the opposing camp can bring a political effect called a ‘shift in the momentum.’ It is a signal that can influence wavering voters who have not yet made up their minds.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

One of the reasons DJ was elected president in the 1997 election was also ‘sleeping with the enemy.’ The decisive moment that changed the election landscape was when ‘Steel King’ Park Tae-joon, honorary chairman of POSCO, supported DJ.

At that time, DJ was recognized as a ‘prepared president’ with acknowledged governance capabilities, but doubts over ideology were the Achilles’ heel of his campaign. By embracing Chairman Park, who had strong trust among conservatives, DJ was able to offset his political weaknesses.

Embracing a figure who has walked a politically different path is not as easy as it sounds. It can provoke emotional backlash from one’s own supporters and invite criticism that the move is politically opportunistic.

That is why political skill is important. For a presidential candidate to succeed in ‘sleeping with the enemy,’ they must have the political skill to manage the risks. Acting without such capability can lead to self-inflicted wounds.

Will ‘sleeping with the enemy’ demonstrate its power in the 2022 presidential election as well? Both ruling and opposition party candidates have already announced the recruitment of figures who were once part of the opposing camp.

The ruling party embraced Park Chang-dal, former president of the Korea Freedom Federation and a former member of the Grand National Party, while the opposition secured the support of Park Joo-sun, former deputy speaker of the National Assembly and former Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party.

This might be a rehearsal for the main event. Recruiting a political heavyweight who can surprise the opponent could literally become a ‘game changer.’

There is no need to view efforts to recruit figures from the opposing camp negatively. This election is structured such that it will be difficult for anyone to win with an overwhelming vote share. It is likely that the winner will be elected with a vote share in the 40% range. Can sufficient national governance momentum be secured with such a vote share?

Political leaders must have a different caliber. To solve Korea’s social challenges?from politics, society, economy, diplomacy to national defense?the president needs not only a national governance philosophy and operational capability but also a ‘sense of balance’ in talent recruitment.

When voters believe that the talent pool will not be limited to one’s own close circle, it can move not only the moderate voters but also the supporters of other candidates.

Even if a candidate is not someone they have always liked, if the public forms the belief that this person will lead the Republic of Korea in the right direction as president, it can be said that half the battle in the presidential election is already won.

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