Tough vetting could drive former veterans to run as independents


The ruling Saenuri Party on Monday began its candidate nomination process for the April 11 parliamentary election, hoping to find new faces who can help the party turn its flagging fortunes around.

For five days until Friday, it will accept applications from those wishing to run in 245 district constituencies under its banner. Vetting of the applicants will begin on Feb. 16, party officials said.

Formerly the Grand National Party, it has vowed to use a set of strict guidelines in screening its candidates, including stripping at least 25 percent of incumbents of their chance to seek re-election on the party ticket.

Candidates are required to fill out and submit a self-introductory statement that includes answering some 140 questions. They must list their social network accounts, such as Twitter and Facebook, as one’s SNS clout is to be reviewed during the vetting process.

On top of that, they are asked to submit a handwritten letter and pledge that they will not run in the constituency they apply for as an independent or under another political party if they lose in the party’s nomination race.

Yet, the tough vetting process could backfire, resulting in a horde of right and center-right independent candidates and a split of conservative votes, some political observers say.

Already, former ruling party members are announcing their independent bids.

Former Rep. Eom Ho-sung, who served as the chief strategist for the GNP, has registered his candidacy as an independent in a Busan constituency.

Kang Sam-jae, a veteran politician and former vice chairman of the GNP, also said he was considering running as an independent.

“I have no plan to join the Saenuri, or apply for the party’s ticket, for now,” he said in a media interview Monday.

Saenuri faces tough odds in the election, with polls showing widespread voter disapproval of the conservative administration led by President Lee Myung-bak.

The liberal opposition parties have united to oust conservatives from power.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)