Ahn Cheol-soo: "The Opposition Innovation Platform's Timeline is the 'Presidential Election'... From Loose Alliances to New Parties"

"If an Innovation Platform Is Established, I'll Even Be a Gatekeeper"
Proposal for a Final Debate Among Opposition Parties... "Let's Find a Way to Take Power"
"Anti-Moon Coalition Is Not the Answer... Must Be Recognized as an Alternative Force"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 12th regarding the reorganization of the opposition and the establishment of a new innovation platform, “The timetable for the innovation platform is not the by-election for Seoul mayor next year, but the presidential election. We must set all plans according to the timetable for the presidential election,” adding, “It is for the entire opposition, and once the framework is established, I will even act as a gatekeeper. I will even do the cleaning.”

On the same day in the afternoon, at the 'Forum for a Better World' (Mapo Forum) led by former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Moo-sung, Ahn said, “We must join hands with anyone who hopes for a regime change,” and “We need a venue like Sangam Stadium that can encompass not only centrists but also reasonable progressives.”

Ahn explained, “There is a wide spectrum of ways for the opposition to cooperate and unite, ranging from the loosest coalition to forming a new party. I used the word ‘platform’ to express all of these,” and added, “The solutions will vary depending on the degree of crisis each person feels.”

Ahn said, “The first step I thought of to start the discussion is a final debate among the entire opposition,” explaining, “Anyone in the opposition who agrees on regime change can participate to reveal their respective innovations, visions, and blueprints, and find common denominators to discover ways to take power.”

Ahn shared, “I have been meeting frequently with people in their 20s and 30s lately. Ninety percent have no interest in politics and have no favorable impression of the main opposition party. They don’t even want to listen. Because of this, I think the opposition’s approval rating has stagnated despite much effort,” and added, “Ultimately, I see cooperation and unification of the opposition as a prerequisite, but I don’t think an anti-Moon coalition can be the answer. An anti-Moon coalition is effective only when the president and ruling party’s approval ratings fall below 20%. Victory is possible when the opposition is recognized not as an opposing force but as an alternative force.”

Ahn pointed out, “The reason I think the Seoul mayoral by-election is very difficult is because it is an untact (contactless) election. There is no way to raise recognition. If there was a mistake in the general election nominations, it was moving to a different district. In this case, no matter how many terms one has served, they moved to a different district not long ago, so there was no way to raise recognition by running in the election. The Seoul mayoral election is the same,” and continued, “The Democratic Party’s local organization in Seoul is historically the strongest. Among the 25 district mayors in Seoul, 24 are from the Democratic Party, and most city and district council members are also from the Democratic Party,” adding, “By-elections tend to have low voter turnout, and the power of the organization is likely to be exerted.”

Ahn defined the Moon Jae-in administration as a ‘7-no (無) administration,’ stating sharply, “This administration lacks seven things: ability, morality, shame, future, responsibility; it divides the people and destroys democracy.” He then said, “The opposition must prove that it is competent, stand on moral superiority, show that we are people who know shame, and inform the public of our future vision,” and “We must act as a responsible political force, take the lead in national unity, and restore the destroyed democracy.”

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