Ahn Cheol-soo's First Move After Leaving Party Is the French Embassy... "Discussion on Macron-style Politics"

Ahn Cheol-soo Faction of Bareunmirae Party Lawmakers Uniformly Criticize Sohn Hak-kyu... Decide Not to Leave the Party

Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo holds 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@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who left the Bareunmirae Party, is set to meet the French Ambassador to Korea as his first move to discuss 'Macron-style centrist politics,' followed by a meeting with Han Sang-jin, an emeritus professor at Seoul National University who co-founded the People’s Party with him. The Ahn Cheol-soo faction within the Bareunmirae Party has decided to support Ahn’s new party formation without leaving the party.

On the 30th, Ahn will visit the French Embassy to meet Philippe Lefort, the French Ambassador to Korea. Ahn’s side stated, "Ahn will discuss Macron-style reform politics with Ambassador Lefort." In the afternoon, Ahn is scheduled to meet Professor Han, who served as co-chairman of the founding committee during the establishment of the People’s Party in 2016.

This move by Ahn is analyzed as his fourth attempt at founding a new party. His side also explained, "President Emmanuel Macron recruits talent regardless of left or right and forms a grand coalition government to solve problems," adding, "Ahn’s centrist political moves will become more concrete in the future."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Members of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction criticized Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu for rejecting the formation of an emergency committee and declared their support for Ahn. Lee Dong-seop, acting floor leader of the Bareunmirae Party, said at a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly that morning, "With Ahn’s departure, the last hope for the Bareunmirae Party’s revival has disappeared," adding, "I feel not only regret but also despair and deep sorrow."

Lee, the acting floor leader, described Ahn as "a witty leader" and pointed out, "Sohn’s claim that he received a unilateral notice is not true." He continued, "When he returned to Korea, he was told he would be given full authority and the position of emergency committee chairman, but does he not even remember that?" He urged, "Please stop reversing your position. I hope you grow into a greater politician."

Member of the Bareunmirae Party Kwon Eun-hee said, "Dialogue and compromise with Leader Sohn, who lacks a sense of responsibility and mission, is nothing but a sinister deal," and added, "I reject any deal with Sohn and applaud the bold choice for the future." Member Shin Yong-hyun also said, "I will stand with Ahn’s intentions and do my best to establish practical centrist politics."

However, there are views that Ahn’s new party formation will not be easy. First, among the seven Bareunmirae Party lawmakers supporting Ahn, six are proportional representatives without local constituencies. Since they would automatically lose their seats if they leave the party, they have decided not to leave for now, but it is analyzed that it would be insufficient to contest the general election with a new party composed of these members. The 'Honam neglect theory,' which fueled the People’s Party wave, is also expected to no longer be effective.

In this regard, Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, appeared on TBS radio that morning and expressed that Ahn should join a unified new party where centrist and conservative forces gather rather than forming an independent party. He said, "Time is physically very tight," and added, "I expect (Ahn) will eventually join." He also said, "If the judgment is that it is better to unite to judge the Moon Jae-in administration, joining after the party is formed is also possible."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, hinted at the possibility of unification with Ahn. Regarding Ahn’s departure news, Hwang said, "To fight and win against the Moon Jae-in administration, a grand unification of our free-right and free citizen groups is necessary," adding, "If we share values that respect constitutional order and market economy, it is time to come together."

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