Political calculations behind Kim Tae-ho`s non-candidacy in general elections

Political calculations behind Kim Tae-ho`s non-candidacy in general elections. August. 04, 2015 07:20. swpark@donga.com.

On January 6, 2010, about five months before the June 2 gubernatorial and mayoral elections, Kim Tae-ho, the then governor of South Gyeongsang Province, expressed his will to not seeking re-election during a meeting with then President Lee Myung-bak. "After serving two terms as a governor, I feel my head empty. I need to study," Kim told Lee. Seven months later, many eyebrows were raised when Kim was nominated as prime minister. The nomination sparked speculation that it was President Lee`s "experiment" aimed at generation change with a view to making Kim a presidential runner. However, the former South Gyeongsang Province governor failed to pass parliamentary confirmation hearings.

Although Kim suffered huge political damage, he made a comeback to politics by winning a parliamentary by-election in the Gimhae B electoral district on April 27, 2011, before being re-elected in the 2012 general elections. He was catapulted to the post of the ruling Saenuri Party`s supreme council member at last year`s party convention. Then, he has made a surprise announcement that he would not run in next year`s general elections. It would be nice if his retirement sends shockwaves through the political circles, prompting many other lawmakers to voluntarily retire to make way for younger generations. However, the impact does not seem to be very big, as Kim has a reputation for quixotic behavior.

He said that after serving as (Korea`s) youngest county chief and governor, his "mind and body" have been "withered" by a sense of political stardom and impatience. He added that he has lost his initial resolution, with his language becoming harsher and the depth of his thoughts shallower. Still, he made it clear that he is not retiring from politics, vowing to return when he thinks he has the "ability and depth." This remark is a reminder of his determination not to seek a third term as a provincial governor, with an eye to a more ambitious political goal. Some people speculate that Kim is trying to plunge directly into a presidential race because he is not certain to win in next year`s parliamentary elections, with his electoral district in the hometown of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.

Late last year, Kim announced his resignation from his party`s supreme council, only to withdraw it before long. More recently, he strongly urged the party`s embattled floor leader to step down, becoming a pain in the neck for the party. Some people argue that he is "overacting" in an attempt to win President Park Geun-hye`s favor, although he is not a member of the pro-Park faction. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to make a successful comeback as a heavyweight.