[Q&A] Ahn Cheol-soo "Decided to Run for Seoul Mayor Out of Anger at Government Vaccine Purchases as a Doctor"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor and expressed his willingness to consider holding a primary election together with the People Power Party. He also stated that he is willing to meet and form alliances with anyone, including Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, who had previously been critical of him. He explained that his reason for running as a Seoul mayor candidate, despite his pessimistic outlook in September, was his anger over the parliamentary deadlock and the government’s vaccine procurement.

On the morning of the 20th, Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly to announce his candidacy for Seoul mayor and told reporters, “I will meet and cooperate with anyone who agrees on regime change, not just Chairman Kim.”

When asked whether he is considering a unified primary with the People Power Party, he replied, “I will not weigh pros and cons. Any method is fine as long as it ensures fair competition,” adding, “I will seek the best way to win with an open mind.”

Regarding questions about joining the People Power Party, he said, “Regime change is the most important goal. To achieve regime change, the opposition must unite and fight as a single candidate,” firmly stating his intention to run as a unified opposition candidate.

However, on the possibility of party membership, he did not give a definite answer, saying, “I want to find the best possibility to win with an open mind.”

Regarding his decision to run just three months after diagnosing in a September interview that it would be difficult for the opposition to win the Seoul mayoral race, he explained, “The opposition is still in a difficult situation, but after much consideration, I made this decision. Ultimately, I believe the citizens of Seoul will make a rational judgment and choice.”

He cited the reason for changing his September judgment as, “I witnessed democracy completely collapsing during this regular National Assembly session,” and added, “Above all, as a doctor, I was angry about the lack of honesty with the public regarding vaccine procurement, and I decided that this cannot continue.”

Effectively, he has given up on running for president. He emphasized, “I hope you understand my decision to give up the presidential race and run for Seoul mayor. I will definitely win the election and secure a foothold for regime change through good governance.”

When asked about the possibility of running again in the 2022 local elections after the 2022 presidential election, he said, “I have never thought about that. I decided to run because I believe regime change by the opposition is impossible if we do not win the Seoul mayoral election.”

Below is the full Q&A with Leader Ahn.

- Your intention to join the People Power Party?

▲ Regime change is the most important goal. To achieve regime change, the opposition must unite and fight as a single candidate.

- Should we assume there is no possibility of party membership?

▲ I want to find the best way to win with an open mind.

- Regarding the primary election method, there is already talk of a 'unified primary' with the People Power Party. Are you considering a joint primary with them?

▲ I will not weigh pros and cons. Any method is fine as long as it ensures fair competition. As I said earlier, I will seek the best way to win.

- Do you plan to meet Kim Jong-in to find a way to win?

▲ I will meet and cooperate with anyone who agrees on regime change, not just Chairman Kim Jong-in.

- In your September interview, you assessed that whoever runs, the opposition’s Seoul mayoral candidate faces a difficult situation. Do you have a different outlook now?

▲ The opposition is still in a difficult situation. After much consideration, I made this decision. Ultimately, I believe the citizens of Seoul will make a rational judgment and choice.

- Should we understand that you have given up on running for president?

▲ I hope you understand my decision to give up the presidential race and run for Seoul mayor. I will definitely win the election and secure a foothold for regime change through good governance.

- Hypothetically, even if you win the Seoul mayoral by-election, you could still run in the 2022 presidential election or run again for Seoul mayor in the 2022 local elections.

▲ I have never thought about that. Many have said, and I agree, that regime change by the opposition is impossible if we do not win the Seoul mayoral election.

- Do you plan to implement the Innovation Platform you previously proposed in the Seoul mayoral election as well?

▲ When I mentioned the Innovation Platform, I said two things are important. First, it is necessary to create a platform that includes not only the main opposition party but also centrists and reasonable progressives. Second, it is important not only to hold a primary election from the start but also to have a vision competition on how to develop Seoul and change Korea.

- You previously said you would absolutely not run for Seoul mayor. What changed your mind despite the situation not improving?

▲ The biggest trigger was witnessing democracy completely collapsing during this regular National Assembly session and the disregard for procedures. Above all, as a doctor, I was angry about the lack of honesty with the public regarding vaccine procurement. I decided that this cannot continue.

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