Han Seon-kyo "I Want to Meet Ahn Cheol-soo Anytime... Will Go Down If Contacted"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, rejected Han Seon-kyo, leader of the Future Korea Party’s proposal for unification, but Han said he still wants to meet Ahn and stated, "If I get a call, I will go down (to Daegu)."

On the 11th, after a welcome party for recruited personnel held at Woosung Building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Han told reporters, "For a complete unification including the centrist domain, it is necessary for the People’s Party to join as well for a greater conservative unification."

On the same day, Ahn’s side said, "I am volunteering medical services in Daegu, so I am not in a position or situation to meet anyone politically... I will firmly continue on the path of practical centrist politics," effectively expressing refusal.

In response, Han said, "I think the practical centrism that Ahn advocates aligns with free market economy and liberal democracy," adding, "I conveyed my intention today, and although he said he will continue on the path of practical centrism, I always want to meet him. If I get a call, I will go down."

He continued, "The People’s Party’s proportional representation members moved to the United Future Party to receive nominations, and the remaining main body now consists of Ahn and the proportional representation preparatory party," adding, "Since it is in the same form as the Future Korea Party, I have thought there was a connection from before."

Regarding rumors of discord with Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, Han pointed out that they are "groundless false reports," stating, "There were claims of conflicts due to continuity in recruiting proportional representatives from the past Liberty Korea Party to the Future Korea Party, but there was no such discussion," he said. Han added, "Perhaps it is dissatisfaction from those who participated in recruitment for that party," and said, "Interviews for those recruited from the past Liberty Korea Party and New Conservative Party will begin tomorrow."

Regarding nomination applications from those who were eliminated in the United Future Party’s district nominations, he said, "In the past, proportional representation was sometimes used to appease those who were eliminated in districts, but we have decided to exclude that," adding, "Proportional representation is originally used differently from district members, considering niche expertise, and is used for individuals with expertise, political minorities, social minorities, and special considerations." He also added, "We cannot give one person two chances."

Han firmly stated that unification after the general election is a given. He emphasized, "By nature, the United Future Party and we are sister parties, satellite parties, so the ties are always connected," adding, "They handle districts, and we handle proportional representation, so this division of roles means unification is a fundamental principle." He explained, "To prevent this country from going down the wrong path, a majority opposition party is necessary," and said, "To create a majority opposition party, unification is naturally necessary, and I do not foresee any obstacles in the unification process at this time."

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