Ahn Cheol-soo pledges full support for opposition candidate Moon Jae-in

By Park Sae-jin Posted : December 7, 2012, 07:59 Updated : January 1, 1970, 09:00
South Korea's presidential race entered a new phase on Dec. 6 as former independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo asked his supporters to back the standard-bearer of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP).

Ahn said he will give DUP candidate Moon Jae-in "unconditional" support, Ahn's spokesman, Yoo Min-young, told reporters. Ahn believed that it would complete the opposition's single candidacy process and eventually lead to the opposition's victory in the Dec. 19 presidential election, Yoo added.

The spokesman said Ahn's decision is to meet the wishes of people and that Ahn, by playing a more active role, wants to fulfill his pledge to realize a change of government.

A latest poll said the approval rating of Park Geun-hye, candidate of the ruling Seanuri Party, stood at 46.5 percent while that of Moon 40.5 percent. Some surveys said the gap was widening with about two weeks to go before the nation goes to the poll to pick the next president. President Lee Myung-bak, whose five-year term expires in February next year, is banned from seeking reelection under the Constitution.

Ahn, 50, quit the race on Nov. 23, after Ahn's camp and the DUP made few progress on the issue of picking the opposition's single candidate.

Political observers brushed aside the possibility of Ahn joining the DUP. Ahn, as an independent, will take part in street rallies nationwide with DUP candidate Moon and conduct other campaigns to help Moon win the election, they said.
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