The People's Party's Reaction to the United Party's New Name: "We Hope the Actual Content Changes Along with the Name" (Comprehensive)

Ahn Cheol-soo: "Not a Similar Party Name, Different from Us"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] 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." The People Party urged, "We hope that the actual content will change along with the party name."

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 heard, the Election Commission does not seem to judge it as a similar party name."

When asked if including the word 'People' was intended with a merger with the People Party in mind, 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."

The People Party's public relations office also issued a separate statement that day, saying, "We evaluate it as expressing the will to become a centrist and pragmatic party like our People Party," and urged, "We hope the actual content changes and innovates along with the party name change. We hope it is not just a centrist cosplay."

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

Regarding the possibility of running as the United Future Party 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 process at 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 by national and public medical institutions including Seoul National University Hospital? Why would a citizens' group participate in a recommendation committee for admission to the public medical school? I cannot help but condemn the ignorance and stupidity of this administration regarding medicine, beyond unfairness and cheating."

Ahn criticized, "To become a good medical professional, one must be thoroughly verified in terms of aptitude and ability from the selection process, education, to post-graduation training. 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 rather 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 generals who have been fighting well suddenly refuse to serve? This happens because the commander is throwing stones behind the generals' backs," and criticized, "The problem is not the soldiers' refusal to serve but the commander's qualifications and leadership ability."

Ahn supported the striking medical professionals, saying, "It is not simply about protecting vested interests of interest groups, 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. It is an inevitable expression of resistance against this administration."

Regarding KEPCO University's plan to select students without the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and school records, he expressed concern, saying, "If a university operated by Korea Electric Power Corporation, a paradise for political appointees and a playground for 'sanpia' (industry insiders), selects students without CSAT or school records, the sons of certain chiefs, daughters of Ministry of Industry officials, and nephews of local influential figures will be admitted, and ordinary students will be mere extras."

Ahn said, "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," and warned President Moon, "Stop this disgraceful attempt immediately and cease inappropriate public opinion manipulation and the use of public authority for division."

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

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