The 2007 presidential race will start upon the registration of candidates on Sunday and Monday. This year’s race is noteworthy because it lacks the traditional showdown between democratic and non-democratic forces due to the growth of democracy, and the possible evaluation of the so-called progressive governments that have been in office during the past decade. For these and others, the presidential race can be very confusing and complicated.
On the first day of then two-day registration period, nine candidates, including Lee Myung-bak of the main opposition Grand National Party and Chung Dong-young of the majority United New Democratic Party, registered with the National Election Commission. Lee Hoi-chang, another conservative candidate, is expected to register on Monday. In total, 17 candidates, the most-ever for a presidential election, are expected to sign up with the commission. It is quite unusual that two candidates from conservative camps are leading the race with no contentious election issues. At present, Lee Myung-bak of the conservative GNP topped most surveys with about 40 percent of support. The former Seoul mayor has led the race continuously for the past year. It is unprecedented that a candidate, suspected of alleged involvement in illegal corporate activities, would enjoy the greatest popularity. Kim Kyung-joon, a former business partner of Lee, who was recently extradited from the United States, claims Lee was partly responsible for BBK, a firm Kim founded. BBK was shut down in 2001 for illegal practices. It remains to be seen how the result of the prosecution’s investigation into Kim’s case will affect the election.
The second most popular candidate in most polls, Lee Hoi-chang, the former chairman of the GNP, trails his rival, Lee Myung-bak. The GNP continues to call for its ex-leader to forego his candidacy and align with Lee Myung-bak. The two Lee’s are followed by Chung Dong-young of the UNDP. In addition, former Yuhan-Kimberly CEO Moon Kook-hyun of the Creative Korean Party, Kwon Young-gil of the Democratic Labor Party, and Rhee In-je of the Democratic Party are striving hard to enhance their single-digit support.
The two conservative candidates’ domination of the public support seems to reflect the people’s desire for government change. Voters are greatly interested in economic recovery, which also works in favor of Lee Myung-bak, who served as CEO of a Hyundai business unit before he became the Seoul mayor. There is the possibility that the forthcoming election will be a showdown between Lee Myung-bak winning public supports with his economic and business pledges and Lee Hoi-chang calling for consolidation of conservative forces against the current liberal government. Lee is expected to split conservative votes with the former Seoul mayor, but there’s a possibility the two conservative camps will agree on a single candidacy, realigning the election landscape as a duel between conservatives and liberals.
Past experiences show the approval ratings at the time of candidate registration will not change in the election result, but it remains to be seen whether the allegations about Lee Myung-bak will affect voters’ sentiment. The liberal candidates, who seek a breakthrough in their currently low support, will likely continue to seek a single candidacy even after registration.
The official presidential race will start on Tuesday with less than a month left before the election.
Chung Dong-young 
The 2007 presidential race will start upon the registration of candidates on Sunday and Monday. This year’s race is noteworthy because it lacks the traditional showdown between democratic and non-democratic forces due to the growth of democracy, and the possible evaluation of the so-called progressive governments that have been in office during the past decade. For these and others, the presidential race can be very confusing and complicated. 
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