Korea, the presidential elections "have become a struggle between good and evil"

SOUTH KOREA

With the withdrawal of Independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, who has promised to support the Democrat Moon Jae-in, the contest for the vote on December 19 becomes a head-to-head challenge against the Conservative Party candidate, Park Geun-hye. The Executive Secretary of the Bishop's Conference: "On the one hand, there is the opportunity to move forward towards a better society; on the other, there's the specter of a wicked society."


Seoul (AsiaNews) - The presidential elections of December 19 "have now become a struggle between good and evil. On the one hand there are those who want a more just and caring society towards the people, on the other hand there are the usual populists who make empty promises, clad in seductive words." The Executive Secretary of the Korean Bishops' Conference explained to AsiaNews the upcoming electoral contest in the light of the independent candidate's withdrawal.



As already explained by a source in Korea, Ahn Cheol-soo has announced his decision to withdraw from the race and to support the democratic candidate Moon Jae-in, during a press conference referred to as "dramatic" by those present. After bowing to those present, the information technology tycoon said: "I once said that I would do everything to ensure that there was only one opposition candidate in this presidential election. Participating in and carrying out a new politics for Korea is very important to me, but keeping a promise is the most important thing of all."

The cause for the withdrawal seems to have be a very tough clash between the two on some economic issues. However, there remains the possibility of an electoral tandem: Moon has repeatedly said he wants to maintain his "special" relationship with Ahn, who in turn has announced his intention to remain in politics "and to work for the common good of South Korea".

The Catholic Church seems to be moving compactly towards supporting Moon. Several sources of the Bishops' Conference explained that the Democrat "has often proven his capacity for judgment. He also fought against the Yushin military dictatorship [imposed by General Park, father of the conservative candidate ndr] and knows well the situation in North Korea, as the son of a refugee."

The Executive Secretary of the Korean Bishops' Conference, Fr. Thaddeus Lee Ki-rak, preferred not to name names, but said: "With Ahn's withdrawal, a very simple scenario opens up. On the one hand, there is the opportunity to move forward towards a better society; on the other, there's the specter of a wicked society."

"In this election year", he told AsiaNews, "we will witness the reappearance of populists who are dictated to by their adherents, recklessly issuing empty promises, clad in seductive words. Nevertheless, Koreans are called to make important decisions by vote two times in this year: the general election and the presidential election. Depending upon the results, we may make a step forward, toward the construction of a just, fair and humane society, or, on the contrary, we may have to face a setback."