Unified Party's New Name Likely 'Gukminui Him'... Ahn Cheol-soo Says "Different from Us"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] As the leadership of the United Future Party selected "People Power Party" as the new party name on the 31st, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, stated, "It does not seem to be a similar party name. It is different from ours."

After the Supreme Council meeting on the morning of the same day, Ahn met with reporters and said, "It is not appropriate to comment on other parties' names, but from what I have heard, the Election Commission does not seem to consider it a similar party name."

When asked if including the word "People" was with the intention of merging with the People Party, he drew a line by saying, "If that logic applies, shouldn't all other parties with 'People' in their names merge as well?" Regarding the possibility of integration, he only replied, "We are working hard to expand the entire opposition's share."

Ahn is known to have recently increased communication with the United Future Party. About this, he said, "I once had a meal with people who were in our party and then moved to that side, but that is all," adding, "We did not talk about politics at all. It was just a personal meeting among people who have known each other for a long time."

Regarding the possibility of running as the United Future Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, he firmly said, "I have never considered it."

At the meeting that day, Ahn strongly criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's plans for the public medical school recommendation admission system and the student selection for Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) University.

He said, "Is it sane to propose a bill that allows graduates of the public medical school to be preferentially selected for national and public medical institutions including Seoul National University Hospital? Why would a citizens' group participate in a recommendation committee to recommend admissions to the public medical school?" He sharply criticized, "I cannot help but be appalled by this administration's ignorance and foolishness regarding medicine, beyond unfairness and cheating."

Ahn stated, "To become a good medical professional, one must be thoroughly verified in the selection process, education, and training after graduation," and criticized, "If medical schools admit students with fake certificates and recommendation letters, our country's hospitals and medical community will become a haven for quacks." He then raised his voice, saying, "They should just openly declare a war on fairness."

Regarding the conflict between medical professionals and the government over strikes, he said, "If the commander is not at fault, would the generals who have been fighting well refuse to go to war? This happens because the commander is throwing stones behind the generals' backs," and criticized, "The problem is not the soldiers' refusal to fight, but the commander's qualifications and ability to lead."

Ahn defended the striking medical professionals, saying, "This is not simply about protecting the interests of a group, but about the lack of proper consultation and public discourse on significant changes in the medical field to which they have devoted their lives, and the unilateral push of wrong policies," calling it "an inevitable expression of resistance against this administration."

He also expressed concern about KEPCO University selecting students without the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) or school records, saying, "If a university operated by Korea Electric Power Corporation, a paradise for regime parachutes and a playground for 'sanpia' (industry insiders), selects students without CSAT or school records, then the sons of certain chiefs, daughters of Ministry of Industry officials, and nephews of local influential figures will be admitted, while ordinary students will be mere extras."

Ahn warned, "If there had been no medical staff strike, the institutionalization of the public medical school recommendation admission system would have succeeded without anyone noticing, and the KEPCO University admission method would not have attracted attention," urging, "I warn President Moon. Immediately stop this disgraceful attempt and cease the inappropriate public opinion manipulation and the use of public authority to divide people."

He emphasized, "We should be fighting against COVID-19, so why are we fighting with the doctors who are fighting COVID-19?" and stressed, "I reiterate that the president and the ruling party are in positions of responsibility, not positions to blame others. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility."

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