SEOUL , Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Sohn Hak-kyu, liberal flag-bearer, declared his bid to run for South Korea’s presidency on a platform of greater detente with North Korea.
In a rally in Seoul Thursday, Sohn, professor-turned-politician, said he wanted to become the leader of South Korea to push for a "10-year plan for economic co-prosperity on the Korean peninsula" focused on greater engagement with the North.
Greater inter-Korean economic cooperation also would provide a new growth engine for the South by exploring "the North's potentially dynamic market," said Sohn, former governor of Gyeonggi province, which shares half of the South’s 155-mile border with the North.
"A new North Korean policy is needed to creatively develop the 'Sunshine Policy' (of engagement), which has greatly contributed to inter-Korean reconciliation and exchanges," he said.
Sohn, an independent presidential hopeful, is considered the most favored potential candidate for the ruling camp. He bolted from the main opposition and conservative Grand National Party early this year to join the liberal camp.
He still lags in popularity behind anti-communist opposition hopefuls for December's presidential election.
