Choi Kyung-hwan: "Removing 'Ahn Cheol-soo Uncertainty'... Integration Framework to Be Completed by Mid-February"

Regarding Jeong Dong-yeong, leader of the Minjoo Party of Korea, on the 'Three Principles of Integration,' he said, "I fully agree."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Choi Kyung-hwan, leader of the Alternative New Party, commented on former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo's departure from the Bareunmirae Party, saying "the uncertainty has been removed," and predicted that by mid-next month, a framework for opposition party unification including the Party for Democracy and Peace will be completed. The Alternative New Party drew a clear line, stating that it differs from the 'anti-Moon coalition' advocated by former lawmaker Ahn.

On the morning of the 30th, Choi held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "Former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo has returned and shown various moves, causing some confusion, but now that uncertainty has been removed," adding, "From the perspective of centrist reform integration, I would say it has become clear."

He continued, "We are discussing completing the framework for integration by mid-next month," and said, "With the uncertainty surrounding former leader Ahn removed, we expect the momentum for integration to flow strongly."

He also clearly drew a line regarding former lawmaker Ahn's 'anti-Moon line.'

Choi said, "Former leader Ahn advocates a centrist reform realization party line, and with his departure from the Bareunmirae Party, those aspects have become clear." He added, "According to a radio interview with Lee Dong-seop, acting floor leader of the Bareunmirae Party, Ahn said he would join if all vested interests in all directions are relinquished through the anti-Moon coalition, and I believe that is not just Lee's personal opinion."

He then said, "The overall flow strongly leads us to believe that former leader Ahn may have different thoughts from our reform coalition," emphasizing, "Again, we are different in nature from the anti-Moon coalition or conservative unification."

Regarding the 'three principles of integration' proposed by Jeong Dong-young, leader of the Party for Democracy and Peace, he said, "I fully agree." At the highest committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Jeong stated, "The public will not be moved by simple mergers and splits. Clear principles, values, and justifications are necessary," and presented the three principles of integration: ▲ reflection on division ▲ reform opposition party identity ▲ completion of a decentralized constitutional amendment and mixed-member proportional representation system. When asked how to resolve the bitterness from the Party for Democracy and Peace's departure process, he replied, "It has been largely resolved," adding, "It does not seem to be a big problem."

Regarding the possibility of an election alliance with the Democratic Party of Korea, he said, "(The Democratic Party) is realizing through the impeachment and 4+1 reform coalition experience that the Democratic Party alone is not enough," and added, "If a one-on-one structure is created, there is a sufficient chance of victory (in Honam)." He also said, "It will not take long for the situation with the Bareunmirae Party to be resolved."

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