An·Son, Overseas Trips and Seclusion in Every Crisis... This Time Political Continuation

Uncertainty of Third Force Against Two Major Parties
Ahn Cheol-soo Retains Party Leadership
Son Hak-kyu Expected to Challenge Party Leadership

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] With the complete collapse of the People’s Party and the Minsaeng Party in the April 15 general election, the future of the third political front as an alternative to the two major parties has also become virtually uncertain. The People’s Party is currently under pressure to merge from the United Future Party, while the Minsaeng Party, having been reduced to an extra-parliamentary party, is on the verge of disintegration. As a result, prominent figures of the third front such as Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and Sohn Hak-kyu, former permanent election committee chairman of the Minsaeng Party, can no longer recklessly embark on overseas trips or seclusion as they did in the past.

A People’s Party official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 21st, “If it weren’t for Leader Ahn, would the People’s Party have even gotten 6.7%?” and added, “He will continue to hold the leadership position.” Leader Ahn has repeatedly traveled abroad and returned during political crises. This began when he chose to go to the United States after withdrawing from the 2012 presidential race. When he lost consecutively in the 2017 presidential election and the 2018 local elections, he went to Germany. However, this time, although the People’s Party won only three seats, there is no talk of holding Leader Ahn responsible. Rather, the prevailing view is that Leader Ahn will maintain his position and enter the next presidential race.

The People’s Party has clearly drawn a line regarding the possibility of merging with the United Future Party. On the same day, People’s Party lawmaker Kwon Eun-hee stated on BBS Radio, “The People’s Party is different from the United Future Party; we have clearly advocated an independent line of practical politics rather than factional politics and ran the election on that basis,” adding, “The United Future Party practices factional politics, while the People’s Party pursues politics beyond factions, so there is no possibility of a merger.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Chairman Sohn has also chosen seclusion and overseas trips during political crises. After losing the 18th general election as leader of the Democratic United Party, Sohn stepped down and moved to Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. His seclusion lasted for about two years until the party requested his return. After losing the 2012 Democratic United Party presidential nomination race, Sohn went to Germany for about eight months of training. In July 2014, Sohn ran in the by-election for Suwon Byeong in Gyeonggi Province but was defeated again, after which he secluded himself for about two years in a cave behind Baekryeonsa Temple in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do.

Unlike in the past, former Chairman Sohn expressed his intention to continue political activities. At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 16th, Sohn said, “During the election, many people asked me, ‘Are you really that young?’” and added, “As long as I still have health and a fresh, vigorous spirit, I will do various things.” Within the party, there is talk that Sohn may challenge for party leadership at the party convention scheduled for the end of May.

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