South Korea’s presidential race has narrowed as the software mogul Ahn Cheol-soo surged in polling to overtake front-runner Moon Jae-in.
Ahn Cheol-soo, the 55-year-old People’s Party candidate, surpassed Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea in a poll conducted by Korea Research Center released on Sunday. It is the first time Ahn has taken the top spot in a poll.
Ahead of the May 9 election, support for Ahn of the centrist People’s Party garnered 36.8 percent, as Moon, who had been leading the polls for months, gained 32.7 percent support.
Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea gives a speech in Seoul on April 3, 2017, after being chosen as the party's presidential candidate. /CFP Photo
Ahn was neck and neck with Moon in other polls as well.
Ahn retracted his previous opposition to the planned deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) during a speech on Thursday.
Ahn said the next president should continue to allow the US to install THAAD on South Korean soil, as opposed to his previous stance that Seoul should not choose between Beijing and Washington, but manage strategic partnerships with both through dialogue.
This was viewed as an approach to differentiate himself from Moon, who has been criticized for ambiguity on the issue.
Moon, 64, who was runner-up to Park in 2012, has said he would review the decision to deploy THAAD.
In response, Moon's spokeswoman Yoo Eun-hae said Ahn is flip-flopping to draw votes. "Ahn is saying that he can change the party platform on his own. His understanding about the in-party democracy is questionable," Yoo said in a statement on Friday.
Ahn also emphasized that he never participated in the street rallies that helped end Park Geun-hye's presidency. Many conservatives thought the protests were politically motivated by liberal forces. It is part of his campaign strategy to rally support from conservative voters, but this could agitate liberals at the same time -- his biggest supporter base.
Related stories:
952km
