[imText1]Former Seoul mayor Lee Myung Bak has been officially selected as a candidate for the 17th presidential election in representation of the Grand National Party. Lee gained this honor winning 81,084 of the 138,893 votes over another favorable candidate Park Geun Hye.
On the 20th, GNP held the national convention of GNP at Seoul Olympic Park polling votes. While Lee did win the bid, Park gained a total of 78,632 votes, Won Hee Ryong 2,398 votes and Hong Joon Pyo a total of 1,530 votes.
Lee’s victory came based on a media survey of 5,500 people. While Lee was up 8.4% in points, this equated to a total of 2,600 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Lee said “I accept this position bowing my head humbly to the people and Grand National Party who have given me this honor” and stressed, “From this time onwards, we must stand as one, including the people who did and who did not support me.”
He also urged for unity between all participants and candidates of the selection. Lee said, “I believe that greater unity will arise after a fierce battle” and “I will engage in enhancing politics rather than subtracting politics.”
In particular, there were times during the campaign when conflicts were faced with one predominant candidate Ms. Park. Lee blatantly proposed, “I ask that the respectable Ms. Park will take on the critical role of assisting me regain the government. I believe she will accept this role.”
In response, Park said, “I submit to the results of the election of the candidate for GNP” and revealed, “From this day forwards I will give my services to the party.” However, she avoided giving any direct answers regarding the support for the presidential election.
Towards her supporters, Park said, “Forget everything which happened during the competition for the party election,” and urged, “To all the people who placed their efforts in supporting myself and the party, place your energies and passion in changing the government.” Even as the result of the candidacy was finalized, Park supporters yelled “invalid selection.’
Spokesperson Lee Nak Yon of the United New Party said, “Inspections will begin from now. GNP’s inspection of Lee’s morality was a sham” and “We will forcefully fight, carefully inspecting morals and the future vision.” Spokesperson Yoo Hong Pil of the Democratic Party revealed, “We will conduct strict inspections on any doubts of illegality and evasions of law.”
Kim Hyeong Tak, spokesperson for the Democratic Labor Party said, “The Grand National Party’s inspection was an ‘indulgent protocol’” and “Candidate Lee will soon face a winter-like fall.
