Ahn Cheol-soo Heads to Gwangju... Conservative Camp Still Sends 'Love Calls'

Consolidating the Third Zone Unified Support Base for Ahn Cheol-soo
Despite Drawing Lines, Hope for Innovation Committee-Korean Party Integration
Saebosu Party Keeps Distance for Now

Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is paying respects at the grave of the late former President Kim Dae-jung at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Lim Chunhan] Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo visited the Seoul National Cemetery and the Gwangju 5.18 Cemetery for his first official schedule after returning to Korea. As Ahn officially announced the 'third way,' this move is interpreted as an effort to revisit Honam, his support base, and rebuild it. Honam was the epicenter of the Ahn Cheol-soo wave and the foundation of the People's Party surge during the 20th general election.

On the morning of the 20th, Ahn met with reporters at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and regarding the third zone integration, he said, "There are many questions about alliances and splits in elections, but isn't direction more important? For a country, direction is far more important than speed." He added, "Our country is in a difficult situation because it has not properly set its direction. Seeking agreement on that direction is the priority."

He continued, "It is time to move forward again with three goals: happy citizens, a fair and safe society, and politics that works properly," emphasizing these points.

Ahn is distancing himself from conservative integration and promoting a pragmatic centrist party. He expressed his intention to create a third zone surge that would replace the Democratic Party of Korea and the Liberty Korea Party. However, it remains uncertain whether Ahn will remodel the Bareunmirae Party or establish a new party. In political circles, since there is little time before the general election to form a new party, the prevailing view is that Ahn will return to the Bareunmirae Party and pursue innovation at the level of reestablishment.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Despite Ahn’s distancing, the Innovation and Integration Promotion Committee (IIPC) and the conservative camp, including the Liberty Korea Party, have not given up hope. Park Hyung-joon, chairman of the IIPC, said on the radio that day, "I did not expect him to actively participate in integration from the beginning," and added, "Even if the integrated new party is prepared and launched, the next integration train will be waiting."

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, also strongly hopes for integration with Ahn. He believes that embracing the centrist camp is necessary to complete the integration. The reason why the New Conservative Party has been reluctant to accept the official two-party consultation request is analyzed as being conscious of the possibility of integration with Ahn. At a meeting that day, Hwang left room for possibility by saying, "If it is a path toward the future, anyone will accompany."

On the other hand, the New Conservative Party, which has had a previous breakup experience with Ahn, is sending love calls but showing a cautious attitude. Yoo Seung-min, chairman of the Conservative Reconstruction Committee of the New Conservative Party, said at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Party founding ceremony the day before, "It seems unclear whether we will become a clear opposition party to judge the Moon Jae-in administration or take a stance to judge the two major parties," adding, "If we go the path of a clear opposition party, we can go together." Since they have set integration with the Liberty Korea Party as a priority, it is interpreted that they are keeping some distance from other forces for now.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.