‘Hot’ Ahn Cheol-soo Mapo Forum Lecture... Discussion on Opposition Realignment Including New Party Formation

An side: "Let's discuss whether it's a policy alliance or a new party"
People Power Party distances from new party formation... Joo Ho-young: "Talks without possibility"
Yoo Seung-min faction reluctant to Barun Mirae Party Season 2

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, will give a lecture to current and former members of the People Power Party on the 12th at the “Towards a Better World” (Mapo Forum). At this event, discussions are expected to focus on opposition realignment, including the new party formation proposed by Ahn, and a new innovation platform. The key issue is whether the People Power Party’s negative stance toward Ahn’s proposal can be reversed.

A representative from Ahn’s side told Asia Economy in a phone interview that regarding opposition realignment, “(Ahn) wants to discuss whether a loose form of policy alliance is the answer or if it should take the form of a new political party,” adding, “(At the Mapo Forum) he will talk specifically about the platform.” On the People Power Party’s opposition to new party formation, the representative said, “If it’s neither this nor that, then if there is a plan for opposition innovation or winning the by-election, proposals can be made,” and warned, “If we continue like this, it will be a certain defeat.”

Ahn presented opposition realignment and the establishment of a new innovation platform as core strategies for regime change. On the 6th, at a seminar of the joint research group of People Power Party and People’s Party lawmakers, the National Future Forum, Ahn stated, “The only conclusion is opposition realignment. When we create a new innovation platform and talk about Korea’s future and concrete vision and policies, the public will take interest,” adding, “It can create a foundation that encompasses not only centrists but also progressives who seek reasonable reform.”

Ultimately, the opposition realignment Ahn refers to is an extension of the past Bareunmirae Party model. The issue is whether it can overcome the main causes and limitations of the Bareunmirae Party’s failure. At that time, the Bareunmirae Party suffered severe internal strife due to identity debates and factional conflicts surrounding conservative and progressive ideologies, eventually collapsing. Moreover, the current situation requires bringing together people who are ideologically more complex and diverse than before.

The People Power Party has clearly drawn a line against new party formation. On the 11th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said on KBS Radio, “It’s hard to count how many times Ahn has tried to form a new party,” adding, “Continuously talking about highly unlikely possibilities can undermine that politician’s credibility.”

In particular, the anti-Ahn sentiment is strong among the Yoo Seung-min faction, which has already experienced the failure of the Bareunmirae Party. A People Power Party lawmaker expressed reluctance in a phone interview that day, saying, “They want to do Bareunmirae Party season 2, that failed party.” On the 9th, Jisang-wook, director of the People Power Party’s Yeouido Research Institute, criticized on Facebook, “After nine years in politics and five party formations, it’s not innovation just because it’s opposition unification,” adding, “The public still doesn’t understand what exactly they want to do. They just want to unite against the Moon Jae-in coalition to become the owners, but it’s time to stop.”

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