More I see Park Won-soon, less likely he seems a presidential contender despite 3-term Seoul mayor: 1) lacks charisma. 2) no fanbase, 3) no political story, 4) little internal party advocates, 5) no crowning achievement, 6) no tough elections. All connected. Will elaborate: (1/?)
1: Park lacks flair. He's a decent orator+debater, but he doesn't excite people (i.e. boring). He has reputation for being steady hand but thats not enough to be pres. To be fair, Moon and Park do not have much personal charisma. But their other strengths make up for it: (2/?)
Park and Moon have incredible political stories that make them memorable. Park: daughter of still-popular dictator, 'queen of elections', first woman candidate. Moon: student activist, best friend of late President Roh (secretary, arranged funeral), calm/boring but cerebral (3/?)
2) All successful pres candidates have had loyal, dedicated fanbases. Roh had Nosama. Park has Park Chung-hee loyalists. Moon has Moonppa. These fans defend and promote their pols. Park inspires none of that. His potential competition, Lee Jaemyung, has v. dedicated fans. (4/?)
3. Park Won-soon has no pol story. Unlike Park and Moon mentioned before. Park WS was human right lawyer and activist, but that is part and parcel w. SK liberals. C.f. w/ Lee Jaemyung 'leftist maverick' & Kim Kyungsoo 'Roh's last secretary/Moon's No.1 aide/elected in PK' (5/?)
4) Park WS does not have strong party presence. The '박원순계/PWS-line' in party is small. Only 1 national lawmaker. Many taken in by Moon's gov instead (e.g. Chief Sec Im Jongsuk). Presence outside assembly bigger (esp. Seoul Metropolitan area) but nothing c.f. Moon (6/?)
5) Park WS does not have a big-scale accomplishment that comes to mind. Unlike Lee Myungbak (Cheonggyecheon), Park Geunhye (elections) or rivals Lee Jaemyung (massive welfare scheme), An Heejung (economic growth). Park WS is stable hand. But one glaring issue: fine dust. (7/?)
6) Park WS has been electedx3, each quite easily (10+ pts margins). Tough elections may be good, however. They bring ppl (supporters, party) together. Experience of braving tough election makes supporters loyal. See: Moon's loss in 2012. Kim Kyungsoo will have that in 2022 (8/?)
In conclusion: Park WS has a nice CV that looks v. good on paper. First time 3xmayor of capital. That shud be a premium. But Park is weak on many essential attributes that contribute to strong presidential run, and he will face many tough rivals for liberal nom. in 2022. (End)
To add: Park is not particularly popular in party. In recent Seoul mayoral primary, pro-Moon members ran Woo Sangho and anti-Moon members ran Park Yong-sun against him. Park won easily by nature of name recog, but proof that party is not behind him. Many called on him not to run.
