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Sohn Hak-gyu’s comeback

Posted October. 21, 2016 07:10,   

Updated October. 21, 2016 07:20

한국어

When Sohn Hak-gyu, former opposition Democratic Party leader, declared that he would quit politics on the next day after losing in the July 30 by-elections for the Suwon C constituency in 2014, many people felt sorry for him. I was one of them and wrote a column titled “A Pity for Sohn Hak-gyu” on Aug. 2 that year. Though I did not like the way he left the party that made him a minister ahead of the 2007 presidential election, Sohn was one of few politicians who were intellectual, moderate and reasonable. However, I have expected him not to return to politics to run for president.

He has eventually returned. In a press conference announcing his return to politics Thursday, he said, “We need to open the seventh Republic instead of the sixth Republic of 1987, which is no longer valid. I’m here to devote myself to opening a new chapter in politics and the economy.” Probably, he must have said this with a political movement to reform the Constitution in mind. He said he would abandon his party register and has no idea to become a president. While living in a remote rural area for 26 months, the former three-term lawmaker and governor, who pored over Jeong Yak-yong, a scholar of practical learning on the 18th century, must have had a lot agony. As he lost political trust from the public twice, honestly speaking, it is hard to gauge the depth of truth.

Compared to other politicians, however, his change of mind is not a decisive reason for disqualification. There are precedents such as former President Kim Dae-jung and former ruing Grand National Party leader Lee Hoi-chang. Moreover, former opposition leader Moon Jae-in said in the April 13 general elections in Gwangju, “If Honam (southwestern region and the party’s stronghold) stops supporting me, I will quit politics. I won’t run for president either.” However, despite the great defeat of his party in the region, he did not keep his promise and rather is becoming a favorite presidential candidate.

The public is interested in “Sohn Hak-gyu politics” that he will show in the run-up to the presidential election. Though he stressed that politics is his calling, it is hard to separate this from the presidential election. Given that he abandoned his register of the Minjoo Party where Moon has control, he might try to find an opportunity in a third area. As he decided to do politics again, he can hopefully prevent extreme confrontations between the ruling and opposition parties. If he does this well, he could sufficiently justify his comeback.