Ahn Cheol-soo's Proposal for Opposition Integration 'New Party Formation'... What Do You Think?

Ahn Cheol-soo Advocates 'New Party Formation' for Opposition Unity
Kim Jong-in Says "Do It Alone," Joo Ho-young Sees "Possibility of Alliance," Opinions Divided
Experts Predict "Practically Difficult"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is giving a lecture at the People’s Future Forum seminar titled "Post-Corona Era, South Korea’s Innovation Tasks and Future Vision," held on the morning of the 6th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han and Seulgi Kim] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, proposed the formation of a new party uniting the opposition ahead of the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections scheduled for April next year, sparking divided opinions within the opposition camp.

Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, effectively rejected Ahn’s proposal by saying, "I am not interested," while Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed support by stating, "There is a high possibility of alliance with opposition candidates," lending weight to Ahn’s call for opposition unification.

On the 9th, Ahn stated at the Supreme Council meeting, "It is not simply an anti-Moon (anti-President Moon Jae-in) or anti-Democratic Party alliance, but a reform coalition, future coalition, and national coalition that can produce and implement a vision for change and innovation in the Republic of Korea that is needed," advocating for the creation of a new opposition unified party.

Ahn added, "At this critical moment of crisis for the opposition and the Republic of Korea, the best method I have considered is an innovation platform," and "After much deliberation, I concluded that neither the future of the opposition nor the future of Korea can be secured as things stand."

Opinions within the People Power Party leadership appear divided over this. After the emergency committee meeting, Kim Jong-in dismissed the possibility of opposition unification when asked about it, saying, "Our party is not one that will be swept away by whatever one politician outside says."

He further emphasized, "I have no interest in Ahn’s new party formation. If Ahn does it alone, that’s his choice. How can we stop him? He has no choice but to do it alone."

The day before (on the 8th), Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, also said in a briefing, "We are the main opposition party. To correct the current wrong governance and confront President Moon Jae-in, the platform that serves as a focal point must inevitably be our party."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party (left), and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, are greeting each other at the policy discussion on "COVID-19 Experience and Overcoming" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, some believe that even before Ahn’s call for a new party, opposition unity itself holds significance. It is interpreted that opposition unification is necessary to block the 'super ruling party' Democratic Party’s dominance and to win the upcoming by-elections next year.

Earlier on the 4th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader, hinted at the possibility of opposition alliance in an interview with MBC Radio’s "Kim Jong-bae’s Focus," saying, "In the Seoul mayoral by-election next April, there is a high possibility that the People Power Party will ally with opposition candidates such as Ahn and former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop."

Regarding the background, he stated, "People who share the same will should become a single candidate and unite their strength to increase the chances of victory," adding, "Elections tend to be won by parties that unify or field a single candidate."

Jang Je-won, also from the same party, wrote on his Facebook on the 9th, "We need to seriously consider Ahn’s call for opposition reorganization. In fact, it is something that must be done quickly," emphasizing, "It is difficult to overcome the challenging political situation and win the upcoming by-elections and presidential election with the People Power Party’s strength alone."

However, experts foresee that while opposition unification is necessary, the likelihood of actual unification is low.

Yang Seung-ham, emeritus professor of political science and diplomacy at Yonsei University, said, "Opposition unification is absolutely necessary in the current situation," but added, "Although it is necessary and justified, there are structural doubts about whether unification is possible. When we talk about the opposition, we mean unification of the conservative camp, but isn’t the conservative camp currently quite divided?"

Professor Yang explained, "I believe it will be practically difficult to unify the so-called ‘moderate and reformist conservatives’ led by Ahn and the ‘reactionary and traditional conservatives’ gathered around former President Park Geun-hye. It is now up to the opposition leaders to decide whether to embrace these groups."

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