People's Party Gwangju Branch Founded, Full-Scale Activities Begin

Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo "Will Solve Livelihood Issues"

Professor Jo Jeong-gwan Elected Chairman of Gwangju City Party Committee

Ahn Cheol-soo, the founding chairman of the People's Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the Gwangju Metropolitan City Party founding convention on the 16th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The ‘People’s Party,’ led by former leader Ahn Cheol-soo, held the Gwangju Metropolitan City Party founding convention at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju on the 16th, officially starting preparations for the general election. Professor Jo Jeong-gwan was elected as the chairman of the Gwangju City Party.

About 150 supporters, including lawmakers Kim Sam-hwa, Shin Yong-hyun, Kim Su-min, and Kwon Eun-hee, attended the Gwangju City Party founding convention that day.

Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the People’s Party founding preparation committee, attended the Gwangju City Party founding convention and emphatically said, “I will accept sharp criticism graciously. And I will start anew.”

He said, “Honam has corrected the course with righteous choices at every turning point in history,” and “Four years ago, I thought it was meaningful for the People’s Party, based in Honam, to extend a hand first to the Bareunmirae Party, based in Yeongnam, as a way to lead historical change.”

He continued, “However, in the process, I failed to properly communicate that thought and deeply feel my shortcomings in many ways,” and appealed, “I am sorry, but please look at me without prejudice.”

He added, “For the past eight years, I have been painted with colors from both the left and right and subjected to long-standing distortion attempts, but I have never changed from the beginning until now,” and “Right after the last general election, the Park Geun-hye administration fabricated a rebate allegation that never existed, subjecting me to the most vicious political oppression in Korean party history, putting me in difficulty.”

Ahn said, “At that time, as party leader, I knew the rebate allegation was false, but I voluntarily stepped down from the leadership position fearing that continued attacks on the party would damage the newly established party starting fresh,” and “Eventually, after three years, the Supreme Court acquitted me of all charges.”

He also said, “I understand that some claim I betrayed Honam by founding the Bareunmirae Party,” and questioned, “Honam and Gwangju’s history is the history of democratization in the Republic of Korea; who could betray and turn their back on such a noble and great history?”

He continued, “I have many shortcomings and things to improve. However, the great history and spirit of democratization in Honam are deeply embedded in my heart,” and emphasized, “I promise to confidently move forward with true future reform and vision for this era.”

Ahn made two promises at this event.

First, inheriting Honam’s democratic spirit, he vowed to reject fake democracy tainted by ideology and factionalism and realize true democracy.

Second, he emphasized that he would follow the path of strong reform and centrist politics that former President Kim Dae-jung pursued and fought for.

He said, “I will definitely achieve three things: a happy people, a fair and safe society, and politics that works properly,” adding, “I will solve issues related to livelihood and people’s daily lives.”

Meanwhile, prior to the People’s Party Gwangju City Party founding convention, Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the People’s Party founding preparation committee, held policy proposal meetings with the Korean Dietitians Association, the Korean Nurses Association, and the Construction Machinery Individual Federation Business Association, among others.

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