Ahn Cheol-soo: "People Trying to Buy Gangnam Buildings with Politics Must Be Ousted in This Election"

Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 4th. On the same day, former lawmaker Ahn announced the "Working National Assembly Reform Plan." Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who is pushing to establish the "Ahn Cheol-soo New Party," said, "If someone wants to buy a Gangnam building through politics, I think they should not be involved in politics."

On the morning of the 4th, former lawmaker Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly to announce the "Working National Assembly Reform Plan," stating, "The foundation of working politics is, in short, service for the public good," and added, "Political forces pursuing private interests without a sense of mission should no longer manipulate politics." He continued, "These political forces must be expelled in this election," and reiterated, "If someone wants to buy a Gangnam building through politics, I think they should not be involved in politics."

Former lawmaker Ahn's remarks appear to be aimed at Jeong Gyeong-sim, a professor at Dongyang University and the wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. Recently, the prosecution revealed in court that Professor Jeong sent a text message to her brother stating, 'My goal is to buy a building in Gangnam.'

Former lawmaker Ahn explained that "the new party will be completely different from existing parties" and elaborated on the party's principles.

Regarding the principle of a "small but strong party," he said, "There is no reason to maintain and operate numerous paid party officials with taxpayers' money," and added, "We will reduce organizational management personnel and costs through a mobile platform party."

He continued, "We will actively utilize the capabilities of external field experts and accumulated research results and create a network party system that collaborates," explaining, "Although the party itself will be small in size, it can realize a party that accomplishes greater things."

He also stated, "In the 21st National Assembly, we will amend the Political Parties Act to disclose detailed usage of state subsidies, legislative promotion and passage records, budget settlement review records, public benefit policy development, and political project performance to ensure transparency of working parties."

Former lawmaker Ahn said, "We will create a National Assembly that cannot endure without working," and added, "We will legislate automatic convening of standing and subcommittees and introduce penalties for unauthorized absences from the National Assembly." He also emphasized, "Transitioning to a subcommittee-centered system and establishing a permanent Budget and Accounts Special Committee are essential for a working National Assembly."

He further stated, "We will prevent the abuse of the fast-track (rapid processing agenda)," and added, "We will limit the subjects of rapid processing agendas to major issues related to national security or the national economy." He criticized the so-called "4+1" coalition, saying, "I am very critical of the '4+1.' Normal cooperation among parties involves compromising on policy directions and working together to implement them, but this time, there was no such appearance at all. The greatest responsibility lies with the government and ruling party."

Meanwhile, the Ahn Cheol-soo New Party plans to hold a founding member meeting on February 9. The goal for establishing the central party is March 1. Considering the limited time remaining until the general election, the provisional name "Ahn Cheol-soo New Party" will be used during the central party establishment process as well.

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