Ahn Cheol-soo Proposes Permanent 'Ruling-Opposition Council' for Overcoming COVID-19 and Cooperative Governance

"Lee Jae-myung, Silent on Regime's Unfairness... Inconsistent Statements"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, on the 7th called on President Moon Jae-in and the leaders of ruling and opposition parties to “institutionalize a bipartisan consultative body for overcoming the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and cooperative governance,” and proposed “holding a meeting of party leaders as the first step for that.”

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Ahn said, “It is time to overcome politics of conflict and hatred and show the political circle uniting its strength in the national crisis.”

He pointed out, “COVID-19 goes beyond the dimension of healthcare and has an impact far beyond expectations on politics, society, economy, and the international order, and it will destroy the economy of ordinary people and their livelihoods,” adding, “It has become clear that it is no longer possible to overcome COVID-19 or resolve social conflicts by the power of the president and government alone.”

He continued, “The government and ruling party should acknowledge their fundamental limitations and reach out to the opposition and the people,” adding, “Only through bipartisan efforts where all political forces gather strength and wisdom and cooperate to resolve conflicts will it be possible to overcome COVID-19, rebuild the economy, and achieve social integration.”

Ahn emphasized, “The opposition must firmly oppose and fight against this administration’s anti-democratic and autocratic governance and policy failures, but only on the issue of COVID-19 should they adopt a progressive awareness and attitude,” and said, “Reaching out to the other side is not shameful; what is shameful is irresponsibility and incompetence that sit on current issues without resolving them.”

Regarding Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung’s call for nationwide disaster relief payments, Ahn said, “It would be easier for me to say ‘let’s give it all, let’s give more’ if I only thought about political gain,” but added, “However, I cannot do that in good conscience.”

Ahn said, “Governor Lee said that people are more angry about unfairness than poverty. That is true. But before debating whether to give everyone the money or to give it selectively, what we need to do now is to break down the huge cheating, privilege, and unfairness that take away hope from powerless people. I think it is inconsistent to talk about unfairness while remaining silent about the cheating, privilege, and unfair acts of several key figures in this administration.”

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