Ahn Cheol-soo Boosts 'Shindang Party'... Jisang-wook Says, "Stop Thinking You Can Become the Owner by Forming an Anti-Moon Alliance"

Leadership Draws the Line... Kim Jong-in Flatly Says "No Interest"

Jisangwook, Director of Yeouido Institute of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Ji Sang-wook, head of the Yeouido Research Institute of the People Power Party, criticized Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, who advocated for the 'new party formation theory,' saying, "You only think about becoming the owner by forming an anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in) coalition, but please stop now."

On the 9th, Ji wrote on his Facebook, "Is this the fifth party formation in nine years since entering politics?" and pointed out, "Innovation does not mean unconditionally uniting all opposition parties. Then, is the Justice Party also a target for unification since it is an opposition party?"

Ji continued, "I've heard a lot about innovation," and "The public still does not understand what exactly you are trying to do," repeatedly criticizing.

He then added, "You just think about becoming the owner by forming an anti-Moon coalition, but please stop now. You have shrunk a lot," he pointed out sharply.

Earlier, on the 6th, Ahn stated at the People's Future Forum seminar, a joint research group of People Power Party and People Party lawmakers, "We need to create a new innovation platform to talk about vision and policies to attract public interest, and the only conclusion is the reorganization of the opposition," he argued.

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, attended and gave 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 Agency

On the 9th, at the Supreme Council meeting, Ahn also expressed his intention to reorganize the opposition by saying, "We need a reform coalition, future coalition, and people's coalition that can produce and implement a vision for change and innovation in the Republic of Korea, not just a simple anti-Moon or anti-Democratic Party coalition."

In response, the leadership of the People Power Party drew a line against Ahn's claims. Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, "I am not interested in whether some members of the People Power Party agree or disagree with Ahn's remarks," adding, "Our party is not one that gets swept away just because a politician outside says something."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader, also expressed a negative view, saying, "At this point, I am skeptical whether the party formation or innovative platform that Ahn advocates is possible."

On the other hand, some within the party welcomed Ahn's proposal. Lawmaker Jang Je-won said, "We need to seriously consider Ahn's theory of opposition reorganization and act quickly," explaining, "It is difficult to overcome the challenging political situation and win the upcoming by-elections and presidential election with only the People Power Party's strength."

Lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae also said in a phone interview with Yonhap News on the same day, "There is no need to ignore the new party theory. It could be one of the options our party is considering," adding, "My thought is to aim for a unified opposition front and try to win the election somehow."

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