[Politics, That Day...] Ahn Cheol-soo Leaves Again, Can He Hit a Steve Jobs-Style Comeback Home Run?

The Story of Apple Founder Steve Jobs at His First Party Resignation in 2015... Leaving Bareunmirae Party in 2020: "My Path Will Be Lonelier"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] ‘Politics, On That Day…’ is a series planning corner that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is entering Dalgaebi in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 21st to meet former People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy executive director Kim Kyung-yul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

"Steve Jobs was the founder of Apple but was ousted by CEO John Sculley. What came next was the result of Steve Jobs' efforts."

On December 14, 2015, at a senior citizens' center in an apartment complex in Sanggye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, the ‘politician Ahn Cheol-soo’ mentioned Steve Jobs when meeting reporters. Why did former New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) leader Ahn Cheol-soo refer to Steve Jobs during his first official schedule the day after his resignation press conference?

Jobs founded Apple and demonstrated his business capabilities but was removed from his position by CEO John Sculley, whom he had recruited. Later, he returned as a savior for Apple, which was struggling financially, and with the success of the iPhone, he grew Apple into a global IT company.

Ahn Cheol-soo, who nurtured his political dreams within the NPAD but chose to leave the party, what kind of politics did he want to pursue?

At his resignation press conference on December 13, 2015, he said, "I earnestly persuaded why an innovation party convention was necessary for the party to change, but I failed to convince due to my lack of ability."

Ahn Cheol-soo, former lawmaker of the Bareunmirae Party, is bowing his head after finishing a press conference at the National Assembly on the 29th. On the same day, Ahn officially announced his departure from the Bareunmirae Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He added, "I explained how much of a crisis the party was currently facing and that drastic measures were needed to overcome the crisis. After much thought, I concluded that an innovation party convention was the answer." At that time, he demanded that then leader Moon Jae-in accept the innovation party convention, but when it was not accepted, he chose to leave the party.

Former leader Ahn Cheol-soo, who declared his candidacy for the presidential election in September 2012, carried out his first resignation from politics just three years after entering politics. His resignation triggered turmoil in the political world. Ahead of the 19th general election in April 2016, then leader Moon Jae-in, who sought to strengthen the party, was dealt a direct blow.

The New Politics Alliance for Democracy experienced a time of chaos. On December 14, 2015, lawmakers Moon Byung-ho, Yoo Seong-yeop, and Hwang Ju-hong declared their resignation. This was the first resignation of incumbent lawmakers following Ahn Cheol-soo's departure. Lawmakers Yoo Seong-yeop and Hwang Ju-hong are politicians based in Honam. Ahn Cheol-soo expanded his influence politically based in Honam and ignited the spark of the People's Party surge in April 2016.

Ahn Cheol-soo, former lawmaker of the Bareunmirae Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 29th. On this day, Ahn officially announced his departure from the Bareunmirae Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Did former leader Ahn Cheol-soo recreate Steve Jobs' success story? Much has happened over the past four years since 2016. He ran for president and founded the Bareunmirae Party. After the 2018 local elections, he remained a political outsider before declaring his return to politics. On January 29, 2020, politician Ahn Cheol-soo left the Bareunmirae Party.

At his resignation press conference, Ahn Cheol-soo stated, "South Korea now needs a bold new wave of change," and argued, "With the inertia and order of the establishment, we cannot overcome the challenges before us." He once again ventured into the wilderness. Ahead of the 20th general election on April 15, he made a political gamble.

Politics is similar to a boat floating on a river. Riding the flow of the waves, it can reach the ocean. But it can also stop moving forward due to insufficient water volume or capsize in bad weather. What will Ahn Cheol-soo's future look like? Can he recreate the People's Party surge of 2016? Like Steve Jobs, can he hit a comeback home run?

"My path will be more difficult and lonely." These were the words Ahn Cheol-soo conveyed at his Bareunmirae Party resignation press conference. The political environment in 2016 and 2020 is clearly different. The political currents in Honam, which was a solid political base in 2016, have changed significantly. The two-party structure of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Liberty Korea Party remains firm. Waves of new party formations continue, targeting the changed electoral system. This means there are more competitors.

Perhaps that is why his claim that "it will be more difficult and lonely" draws particular attention.

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