Ahn Cheol-soo, After Medical Volunteer Service in Daegu, Says "I Will Face People's Judgment... Will Continue Volunteering After General Election"

"Preparing for the election as the leader of the People's Party is also my duty... I will come to Daegu with the elected members"
"Reflecting on the place of politics... Considering an election centered on integration and hope, not hatred and exclusion"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, who completed a fifteen-day medical volunteer service for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Daegu, said, "It is also my given duty to faithfully prepare for the election as the leader of the People’s Party," and added, "I will do my best to be evaluated by the people." He also expressed his intention to return to Daegu after the general election to continue medical volunteer work.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Ahn held a closing press conference for his volunteer activities at Keimyung University Daegu Dongsan Hospital, saying, "Today, I am returning to Seoul after completing fifteen days of medical volunteer service that began on the 1st at Daegu Dongsan Hospital, the frontline of COVID-19," and added, "I worked hard here, but I regret having to stop activities before COVID-19 is completely eradicated in Daegu."

He continued, "However, I believe that faithfully preparing for the election as the leader of the People’s Party is also a duty given to me and a courtesy to the people," and said, "Despite difficult circumstances, I will do my best in the April 15 general election to be evaluated by the people."

He emphasized, "When I return to Seoul, I will focus on an election centered on integration and hope, not hatred and exclusion," and added, "I will make it an election not of vested interest division or a return to the past, but one where heroes who served in danger, citizens, and future children can smile."

He added, "After the election, I will come back to Daegu with the elected representatives. And I will continue the interrupted medical volunteer activities."

Reflecting on his experience, Ahn said, "I pondered what the responsibility and role of the state are in a crisis, and where politics truly stands in such a crisis." He then promised three things: "I will always be with the people in difficult and painful places. I will continue to find and solve problems on the ground." He also said, "I will always speak only the truth. I will address social problems with scientific thinking and decision-making based on facts."

To the citizens of Daegu, he said, "I want to emphasize that the situation has improved little by little thanks to the high civic consciousness of Daegu citizens," and added, "In the calm way Daegu citizens overcame the sudden crisis, and in the way people comforted and encouraged each other, I felt hope." He also said, "Now, more than 20 years after the IMF crisis, I could feel the hearts of the people gathering here again."

Ahn also expressed gratitude to the medical staff and volunteers at Daegu Dongsan Hospital and others, bowing his head and saying, "I will see you again in a month." Starting from that day, Ahn will undergo two weeks of self-quarantine at home before fully launching his general election campaign.

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