The main opposition, Deobureo Minjudang (formerly the New Politics Alliance for Democracy), and independent lawmakers Ahn Cheol-soo and Chun Jung-bae, who are both preparing to establish their own political parties, are betting their political lives on securing support from the Honam region.

After all, the life of the party including the outcome of the general elections will depend on whether or not they acquire the support of the Honam region, the heart of the opposition.

‪* Moon Jae-in on a Painstaking Road to Recover Honam Support

Deobureo Minjudang leader Moon Jae-in is about to launch an all-out war to secure the Honam region. If he fails to recover supporters in this region, who have turned their backs on the party, and loses support from this region in the general elections, the fate of the party can be uncertain.

Thus the party has conducted three focus group interviews until recently to study the Honam people's thoughts. Reportedly, harsh criticism poured out such as, "Moon can't even reform the incumbent lawmakers from the Honam region," "He asks the Honam people for their votes, but looks like he is trying to make a 'Busan government'," "He's worse than Chung Dong-young in policy reforms."

The party practically confirmed that the disappointment in Moon's leadership was big in Honam. In particular, there was great demand for new reformist faces. Recently, Moon said, "We will recruit fresh and capable figures, show the people which side is pursuing innovation and reform, and will proudly ask the people to choose," and expressed his intention to place fresh reformist and capable faces in the front. This was a move based on the results of the interviews. He plans to meet the Honam region's demand for innovation by bringing in a wave of fresh faces in Honam.

The party is considering establishing a special committee for Honam in Gwangju. On December 29, party spokesperson Kim Sung-soo said, "We plan to appoint at least one person who can represent the Honam region as a co-chairperson of the election committee, which we will soon establish."

‪* Chun Jung-bae Apologizes for Past "Division of the Opposition"

Lawmaker Chun Jung-bae, who is currently planning to establish Gukminhoiyi (People's Council) visited Gwangju this day and apologized for the division of the New Millennium Democratic Party and for establishing the Uri Party in 2003.After paying his respects at the May 18th National Cemetery, Chun held a press conference at the Gwangju City Council and said, "I led the establishment of the Uri Party, but failed to unite the opposition. We ended up weakening those who sought democratic reforms and the political power of the Honam region and deeply hurting our supporters. I would now like to repay this debt by reviving and restoring the political power of Honam."In other words, he aims to stand as the "representative of the Honam region." About a dozen executive members of the Honam Hyangwuhoi (hometown group) decided to leave the Deobureo Minjudang and join the Gukminhoiyi.

Chun is also keeping lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who enjoys stronger support than Chun, in check. Chun appeared in an interview on the Buddhist Broadcasting radio and said, "It would be a problem if Ahn joins those who only seek their political survival by leaving the party, those who are far from the value and vision of a new politics," and pointed out, "He may try to establish a new party that ends up as the 'old' party." Chun is distinguishing himself from Ahn, who recently joined hands with Honam region lawmakers who left the Deobureo Minjudang.

Ahn also repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Honam region. In a press conference this day, Ahn said, "I take the expectations that the Honam region has for the new party seriously. I am determined that we must meet these expectations."

Last year Ahn and his followers unified with the Democratic Party. After it was disclosed that Ahn and his followers had tried to erase the May 18th pro-democracy movement in the new party platform and policy, he lost his supporters. On December 17, Ahn visited Gwangju and said, "I promise not to repeat the same mistake." Recently, he actively welcomed Kim Dong-cheol, You Sung-yop, Hwang Ju-hong, and Lim Nae-hyun, lawmakers from the Honam region who left their party, despite controversy.