Ahn Cheol-soo: "Opposition, from Loose Coalition to New Party... It Would Be Good to Build Together with Yoon Seok-yeol" (Comprehensive)

“Innovation Platform Schedule is ‘Presidential Election’... Even as Gatekeeper”
Proposal for Final Debate Among Opposition... “Let’s Find a Way to Take Power”
“Apologize for Park’s Impeachment First” Conservative YouTuber Causes On-Site Commotion

[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 align all plans according to the presidential election timetable,” 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 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 said, “There is a wide spectrum of ways for the opposition to cooperate and unite, ranging from the loosest alliances 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 explained, “The first step I thought of to start the discussion is an all-out debate among the broad opposition,” and said, “Anyone in the opposition who agrees on regime change can participate to reveal their respective innovations, visions, and blueprints, and find common ground to figure out how to take power.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ahn said, “I have been meeting frequently with people in their 20s and 30s these days. Ninety percent of them are not interested in politics and have no favorable impression of the main opposition party. They don’t want to listen. Because of this, I think the opposition’s approval ratings have stagnated despite much effort,” and added, “Ultimately, cooperation and unification of the opposition is a prerequisite, but I don’t think an anti-Moon Jae-in coalition is the answer. Such a 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, “I think the Seoul mayoral by-election is very difficult 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, even if the candidate is a multi-term lawmaker, they moved to a different district not long ago, so there was no way to increase 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 sharply criticized the Moon Jae-in administration as a “seven-no (7無) administration,” saying, “This administration lacks seven things: ability, morality, shame, future, responsibility; it divides the people and destroys democracy.” He added, “The opposition must prove that it is competent, stand on moral superiority, be people who know shame, inform the public of a future vision, act as a responsible political force, lead national unity, and restore the destroyed democracy.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the forum, Ahn told reporters about the sense of crisis he feels and the innovation platform, “From the position of the one who first proposed it, if I express my intentions, the discussion might narrow,” and said, “I proposed an all-out debate among the broad opposition, and from there, we should start and find consensus within the spectrum.”

When asked whether a merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party could be a type of platform, Ahn said, “No,” and added, “Simply merging is not enough to gain the trust of the people.”

Regarding the possibility of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl participating in the opposition innovation platform, Ahn said, “First, he must decide to enter politics,” and added, “If someone like Prosecutor General Yoon joins the innovation platform, it would be a great help to the opposition. It would be great to build the platform together.”

About former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, Ahn said, “I said that everyone who opposes the current government is a target,” and added, “I haven’t contacted him yet, but the priority is to get the platform on track and create an environment where progressive people who want reasonable reform can participate without burden.”

Meanwhile, at the scene, conservative YouTubers caused a commotion shouting “Traitors” and “Apologize for ousting President Park Geun-hye.” The Mapo Forum and the People’s Party requested that journalists who had not applied for prior coverage due to COVID-19 measures leave before Ahn’s lecture. The conservative YouTubers protested, saying, “Don’t use COVID-19 as an excuse,” and “Isn’t this a secret meeting?” One conservative YouTuber shouted, “Are you even human? Do you like impeaching innocent President Park? You can’t leave.” Former People Power Party lawmaker Kang Seok-ho, co-representative of the Mapo Forum, demanded, “Please follow the rules,” but it was not accepted.

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