Popular software mogul-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo now has another title under his belt-- presidential candidate.


[Interview : Ahn Cheol-soo, Presidential Candidate
Independent] "I have decided to run for president to confront the tasks given to me by this generation."

Since Ahn's book "Ahn Cheol-soo's Thoughts" was published in July, he has been meeting with people from different parts of society to hear what they thought about his vision for the country.
And now that he has officially joined the race, Ahn has promised to lead the country by reforming the system of politics.


[Interview : Ahn Cheol-soo, Presidential Candidate
Independent] "Politics need to change in order for people’s lives to change for the better. This will bring about a new economic model for Korea that focuses on the livelihoods of the people. We must seek economic reform by combining economic democratization and welfare with engines of growth. To bring about peace in a realistic way, we must take steps to strengthen national security."

For the time being, it's a three-way race between Ahn, the main opposition Democratic United Party's Moon Jae-in, and the ruling Saenuri Party's Park Geun-hye.
And regarding recent controversies stemming from Park's comments defending the controversial rule of her father, the late President Park Chung Hee, Ahn said she should come forth with a clear view of the nation's history.


[Interview : Ahn Cheol-soo, Presidential Candidate
Independent] "I understand that it would be difficult to talk about your own father in any way, but I believe because she's running for president, she should make clear her views and thoughts."

Pundits say in order for the opposition camp to have a shot at winning the election, Ahn and Moon, must join forces at some point to overcome Park.


[Reporter : Lee Ji-yoon, jiyoonjlee@arirang.co.kr] "For now it looks like we'll have to wait and see if Ahn will decide to join forces with the Democratic United Party's candidate Moon Jae-in, although today he said he doesn't believe it's the right time for them to discuss the merging of the two sides.
Lee Ji-yoon, Arirang News."

Reporter : jiyoonjlee@arirang.co.kr