WORLD / ASIA-PACIFIC
S.Korea’s Lee seeks primary win
Anal acupuncture, fortune-tellers’ scandals sully election
Published: Oct 10, 2021 05:33 PM
South Korean President Moon Jae-in delivers a special address to mark the fourth anniversary of his inauguration at the presidential Blue House on Monday, in Seoul, South Korea. Moon said the government will focus all-out efforts on South Korea's economy achieving at least 4 percent growth in 2021. He also declared a push to create herd immunity here against COVID-19 earlier than scheduled. Photo: VCG

South Korean President Moon Jae-in delivers a special address to mark the fourth anniversary of his inauguration at the presidential Blue House on Monday, in Seoul, South Korea. Moon said the government will focus all-out efforts on South Korea's economy achieving at least 4 percent growth in 2021. He also declared a push to create herd immunity here against COVID-19 earlier than scheduled. Photo: VCG

Lee Jae-myung was set to become the presidential candidate for South Korea's ruling party on Sunday, hoping to overcome a property scandal and gather national support while conservative opponents trade barbs over anal acupuncture and fortune tellers.

Lee, the governor of Gyeonggi province, was expected to seal his victory in the primary to represent the Democratic Party primary in the March 9 presidential election.

The leading contender to among a fractured field from the main conservative People Power Party, Yoon Seok-youl, has been caught up in scandals of his own - including murky ties to an anal acupuncturist and accusations he relies on fortune-tellers.

"It used to be at most a single candidate who had such scandals, but the top two frontrunners are both embroiled in scandals in this election, which shows South Korea is regressing politically," said Lee Jun-han, professor of political science at Incheon National University.

The winners will vie to replace President Moon Jae-in, who must step down due to term limits.

Lee leads more than 55 percent of the vote to his nearest rival's 34 percent in the primary ending on Sunday, which began in early September. 

Dogged by a scandal involving a residential development plan when he was mayor of Seongnam in 2015, Lee is seeking to focus on his agenda, including a push for universal basic income and more affordable housing amid skyrocketing property prices.

Prosecutors and police have been investigating the Seongnam project amid controversy over Lee's ties to a former official, who has been arrested on corruption charges related to the deal.

Lee has denied any wrongdoing. 

His office did not respond to requests for comment.

Housing-related scandals are a particular sore spot for voters in South Korea, where home prices have soared beyond the reach of many people in the country. 

Lee's party has been damaged by allegations of property speculation.

Reuters