Ahn Cheol-soo and Won Hee-ryong Speak at Mapo Forum... Opposition's Next Presidential Candidates Speak Out

‘Kingmaker’ Kim Moo-sung-led Group
Ahn's Successive Contacts with People Power Party Lawmakers
Won to Present ‘Conservative Governance Vision’ Soon
Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Seung-min Also to Speak Soon

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council and Expanded Party Officials Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, along with other potential presidential candidates from the opposition, will appear as speakers at the "Towards a Better World" (Mapo Forum). The Mapo Forum is a gathering led by former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Moo-sung, who calls himself a "kingmaker," with about 60 current and former lawmakers participating. As the Mapo Forum emerges as a platform for opposition presidential hopefuls, the "anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in)" front seems to be strengthening further.

A People’s Party official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 15th, "This is about delivering a message on opposition innovation to first-term and senior lawmakers of the People Power Party. It is a continuation of what Ahn did at the forum hosted by lawmaker Jang Je-won of the People Power Party." He added, "Innovation competition is necessary for regime change, and many possibilities such as opposition coalition and unification remain open." Ahn is scheduled to give lectures on the 6th and 12th of next month at the 'National Future Forum,' a joint research group of People Power Party and People’s Party lawmakers, and at the Mapo Forum, respectively.

Recently, Ahn has been increasing contact with People Power Party lawmakers and responding to their calls. On the 23rd of last month, Ahn took the podium at the 'Future Innovation Forum' led by lawmaker Jang, speaking on opposition innovation. At this event, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "I hope this day will instill confidence that the opposition can innovate and unite to stop the reckless Moon Jae-in administration that is causing despair among the people." Ahn responded, "I came here not to unilaterally present my thoughts but to share ideas about innovation and regime change for Korea that we all have."

Jeon Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, is speaking at the breakfast meeting of the People's Power party-affiliated provincial governors held at the National Assembly on the 25th of last month. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Governor Won will be the first opposition presidential hopeful to deliver a speech at the Mapo Forum on the afternoon of the 15th. He plans to present his vision for conservative governance. Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is scheduled to give a lecture on the 22nd, and former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is also coordinating his schedule.

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, told reporters after his lecture at the Mapo Forum on the 8th, "Those interested in the presidency within the party will appear one after another," adding, "At this gathering, Governor Won, former Mayor Oh, and former lawmaker Yoo will express their presidential ambitions." He explained, "If someone announces their candidacy with their own platform, they become a presidential candidate."

Regarding criticism that the opposition’s next presidential candidates have negligible support ratings, Chairman Kim said, "The current support ratings don’t mean much," and added, "From past election experience, the person with the highest early support rating doesn’t necessarily become the presidential candidate." About Ahn, Kim said, "Please don’t keep asking me about people who are not affiliated with our party."

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