`Big three` opposition politicians take different steps

Potential presidential hopefuls of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) are stepping up their efforts to make a breakthrough in the stalemated political situation over the sunken ferry Sewol. In particular, the "big three" presidential wannabes – Moon Jae-in, Ahn Chul-soo and Park Won-soon – are drawing attention.

Moon`s activities stood out in the Sewol stalemate. He emerged as the eye of the storm in the situation after he joined a hunger strike by Kim Young-oh, the father of a high school student killed in the Sewol disaster. The NPAD`s leadership was forced to join street rallies. Opposition supporters quickly rallied around Moon. Many political observers say that the hunger strike was Moon`s strategic move aimed at taking control over the party.

Some NPAD members complain that Moon is hitting offbeat with the party leadership, trying to exert his influence. An NPAD lawmaker said that while Moon might have won the hearts of his core supporters, the antipathy by moderate conservatives has grown.

Ahn, who stepped down from the party`s co-chairmanship after losing the July 30 by-elections, has become less visible in the Sewol situation. In some opinion polls, he fell to the sixth most favored potential presidential candidate after former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo.

However, the party`s moderate members with political leanings similar to Ahn`s are speaking up and trying to form a group. Ahn has also reportedly met with the party`s moderate lawmakers to exchange views on the current political situation. "If there are reasonable voices from within the party, Ahn`s room will be created," a member of the party`s moderate faction said.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is keeping a distance from politics, refraining from commenting on political issues after criticizing President Park Geun-hye and the ruling Saenuri Party over the controversies over a special law for Sewol victims and their bereaved families.

On Tuesday, Mayor Park met with Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan and agreed on a project to develop the Han River. The meeting between one of the most influential officials of the Park administration and a potential presidential runner from the opposition party made quick headlines. Observers say that despite plunging approval ratings for the NPAD, Park is appealing to many moderate conservatives as a stable chief executive of Seoul.