Ahn Cheol-soo: "Will Support Once Seoul Mayor Candidate Is Decided... Difficult Election for Political Newcomers" (Comprehensive)

People Power Party's 'True to Its Name Conservative' Lecture
"Optimistic Views on Opposition Victory Are a Big Mistake"
Visited Solo Protest Site Yesterday

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, visited the site of one-person protests by People Power Party lawmakers in front of the Blue House on the 2nd and later emphasized the need for opposition party unity at a meeting of first-term lawmakers. He also drew attention by expressing a negative stance toward the moves of first-term People Power Party lawmakers who are gauging the possibility of running in the Seoul mayoral by-election. Ahn clearly ruled out running in next year’s Seoul mayoral by-election and reiterated his intention to go straight to the presidential election.

On the morning of the same day, at the study meeting of first-term People Power Party lawmakers called “Myeongbulheojeon Bosuda” (True to Its Name, Conservative), Ahn said, “I have no intention of running for Seoul mayor. Once the Seoul mayoral candidate is decided, I plan to fully support them,” adding, “The goal of the Seoul mayoral election and the presidential election is to save our country through a regime change.” He continued, “The spirit of the times is a fair society, national unity, and a competent government,” and emphasized, “While populists gained ground in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, by the end of next year, politicians who can solve real problems will be recognized and desired by the people.”

However, Ahn showed a somewhat negative view toward first-time politicians running for Seoul mayor. He explained, “The election will inevitably be held as an untact (contactless) election, and it is impossible for newcomers to raise their recognition,” adding, “There are elections where fresh newcomers have an impact, but I don’t think this is one of them. If someone known and accomplished in other fields starts politics, they can rise quickly, but except for such cases, it will be a tough election.” He drew a line against first-term lawmakers such as Yoon Hee-sook and Kim Woong, who are unofficially weighing their candidacy for Seoul mayor, and seemed to emphasize opposition party unity.

Regarding next year’s Seoul mayoral election, Ahn diagnosed, “There is already about a 20 percentage point difference in approval ratings between the ruling and opposition parties, the election will be untact and organized, and the government and ruling party have many means at their disposal,” adding, “It would be a big mistake to optimistically think that the opposition will win just because many people are disappointed with the current government and ruling party and they are not tense.”

Ahn said, “Right now, voters don’t like the opposition more or think they are capable. It’s not at the stage where people can vote for the opposition just because of disappointment with the government and ruling party,” and added, “The entire opposition must come together. Not only the main opposition party but also centrists and progressives who want reasonable reform must be gathered for it to be a winnable election. It is necessary to share various innovations and visions.”

Recently, Ahn has been increasing points of contact with the People Power Party. The day before, he visited the protest site in front of the Blue House where first-term People Power Party lawmakers were demonstrating and encouraged them, saying, “Wherever I am, I will help. The People’s Party will also pool wisdom.” He continued, “Each of the first-term lawmakers is a representative of the people, isn’t that right?” and said, “Refusing to listen to them symbolizes the communication failure of this regime.”

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