An, who says he was tortured by intelligence agents when jailed as a student activist, has courted younger voters who have been demoralised over job prospects in a sluggish economy
A provincial governor nicknamed after a leading boy-band is surging in South Korean presidential polls following former United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon’s announcement that he would not run in an election that could come within months. Governor An Hee-jung is seen as a down-to-earth, uncomplicated politician, traits that could serve him well in a nation roiled by December’s impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. If the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, an election would be held in 60 days. “I want to be a president who would put up a basketball hoop in the yard of the Blue House and play basketball with aides,” An, a youthful-looking 51, said in a recent online video interview, referring to the presidential compound. The image is in contrast to Park, 64, who was perceived as isolated and aloof even before the corruption crisis that was to envelop her presidency erupted late last year. None of her prospective successors has a commanding lead in polls. But An has scored the biggest increase in ratings since Ban’s undeclared candidacy fizzled in January, vaulting into second place from as far back as fifth less than a month ago. A Gallup Korea poll issued on Friday showed An closing the gap on fellow Democratic Party member Moon Jae-in, who leads 29 per cent to 19 per cent. Last week, Moon led 32-10. Gallup Korea is not affiliated with US-based Gallup. Ban was expected to stand on a moderate-to-conservative platform, while An is a Democrat but has positioned himself as a centrist.
