Different Upper and Lower Waters in the 'Gukmin' Alliance... Kim Jong-in's Harsh Criticism of Ahn

People Power Party Lawmakers Send Love Call to Ahn Cheol-soo

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The People Power Party and the People Party are experiencing a complex and delicate atmosphere surrounding their alliance and integration. This is because Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, has been continuously criticizing Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People Party, clearly drawing a line against opposition unification. This contrasts with the recent cooperation as both parties have been increasing their points of contact. In political circles, there is an analysis that a push-and-pull game to gain leadership over the integration has begun.

A source from the People Party said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 25th, "These days, (Chairman Kim) seems to be frequently losing his temper because his thoughts do not align with the party's internal public opinion. But does that mean he should belittle the leader of another party?" He expressed displeasure, adding, "I don't understand why a person nearly 80 years old does not show dignity and behaves like this."

At a discussion hosted by the Broadcast Journalists Club the day before, Chairman Kim said about Leader Ahn, "I don't need to evaluate his political capabilities; everyone else knows them." He added, "At first, I told him, 'If you want to do politics, you should enter the National Assembly and learn properly.' But he looked at me and said, 'Members of the National Assembly do nothing, so why do you tell me to become one?' I thought, does this person really understand politics?" Regarding opposition unification, Chairman Kim said, "In my view, it cannot achieve significant effects," and added, "Ahn says that the People Power Party has not properly changed, so he is not interested. We don't need to take an interest in those people or think about merging with them."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, unlike Chairman Kim, members of the People Power Party have been sending continuous love calls to Leader Ahn. On the 23rd, Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party, invited Leader Ahn as a speaker to the Korea Future Innovation Forum, which he leads. The floor leader of the People Power Party, Joo Ho-young, also attended this event. Floor Leader Joo said, "I have always said that we can work together with the People Party anytime," and added, "I hope this becomes a day when the opposition innovates and unites, instilling confidence that we can stop the reckless actions of the Moon Jae-in administration, which has caused despair among the people." Leader Ahn responded, "I came thinking this is not a place to unilaterally express my thoughts but a place to share ideas about Korea's innovation and regime change."

Now, the People Party no longer denies the necessity of integration. On the 24th, Lee Tae-gyu, a member of the People Party, said on KBS Radio, "I agree with the major principle that we must join forces for regime change, but there must be justification and content that matches the justification for the public to sympathize," adding, "Only then will those disappointed with the current government and ruling party see the opposition as an alternative force. (Leader Ahn) thinks that part comes first."

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