Current Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon commands a solid lead over potential contenders for his post as the political parties gear up for the June 4 provincial elections, surveys show.

According to surveys conducted by local media outlets, Park outpaces Rep. Chung Mong-joon of the ruling Saenuri Party by as much as 10.2 percentage points. When pitted against former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, another figure the ruling party may call on to dislodge the progressive Seoul mayor, Park’s lead was extended to 15 percentage points.

Surveys also showed that the former human rights lawyer’s support base would remain firm even when a candidate backed by independent Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo enters the fray to divide the swing voters.

(cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)