Ahn Cheol-soo's 'Broad Opposition Coalition Local Government'... Rapid Progress in Opposition Alliance Talks

People Power Party Sticks to Primary Election Stance After Joining
Kim Jong-in: "Do Not React to Ahn"
Some Senior Members Say "Joining Not Mandatory"
Oh Shin-hwan Also Advocates 'One-Shot Primary for Pan-Opposition'

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun, Kim Hye-min, and Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, proposed the goal of a "broad opposition coalition local government." Although he declared himself as the unified opposition candidate and entered the Seoul mayoral race, he views joining the People Power Party and competing in its primary negatively. Opinions are divided within the People Power Party, and the key issue is whether Kim Jong-in, the party’s Emergency Response Committee chairman, will reverse his previous stance that Ahn must join the party.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st, Ahn said, "We must join forces to create a new and innovative administrative model," adding, "For this, the next Seoul city administration must be a broad opposition coalition local government." He also said, "All members of the broad opposition should consider whether they will entrust Seoul to the Democratic Party again or truly want a Moon Jae-in government season 2," emphasizing, "If we do not forget this point, we can discuss anything and make any decision."

After the meeting, Ahn told reporters that the "coalition local government" referred to "broadly securing talented individuals and appointing capable people properly." This can be interpreted as meaning he will not run as a People Power Party candidate. A source close to Ahn told Asia Economy in a phone interview that regarding the claim of "joining the People Power Party," "(Ahn) declared his candidacy as the leader of the People’s Party, so it seems disrespectful to say that," drawing a clear line. Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, also appeared on CBS radio and said, "Given the current situation, (Ahn joining the People Power Party) does not seem like a good choice," adding, "The People Power Party is also experiencing diverse opinions on what method is best, so discussions need to be held."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Until now, the People Power Party has maintained the position that Ahn must join the party and participate in the primary to become the unified opposition candidate. Chairman Kim also reportedly urged at an online emergency committee meeting the previous afternoon, "We just need to do well with what we have," and "Do not respond to Ahn."

However, some senior members of the People Power Party argue that Ahn’s joining is not mandatory. Kim Ki-hyun, a four-term senior member of the People Power Party, appeared on CBS radio and, when asked about the "big tent, come-together" approach, said, "Personally, I think everything should be open," adding, "Chairman Kim’s remarks telling him to join the party were made, but in politics, there are promises to keep from past statements, and sometimes things must change depending on circumstances."

Oh Shin-hwan, former lawmaker and chairman of the conservative opposition political cooperative "How’s," proposed the day before, "Let all candidates jump into the melting pot for a broad opposition one-shot primary, a broad opposition joint primary." He said, "Unification itself has become a tired game that no longer inspires the public," and "If each is truly willing to give up vested interests, the best way is to remove all preconditions and clash bare-handed like UFC."

The one-shot primary is a method where Ahn, former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, and People Power Party candidates outside the party compete in a single primary. It is divided into a method where candidates outside the party join and compete on the People Power Party stage, and a method where there is no party affiliation restriction and a broad opposition integrated primary is held. It appears that the People Power Party draws a line at first selecting a candidate through a primary and then unifying with Ahn. Kim Geun-sik, former Ahn Cheol-soo faction member and chairman of the People Power Party’s Seoul Songpa-byeong district, also pointed out, "If Ahn insists on this method, there is a high risk of opposition division rather than unification."

Cho Eun-hee, mayor of Seocho District who advocates the one-shot primary method, said on Facebook the day before, "If you want to run as the unified opposition candidate, the right way is to join the main opposition party, the People Power Party, and fairly compete in the primary." Lawmaker Kwon Young-se also recommended joining the party, saying, "Just as Bernie Sanders participated in the Democratic primary, candidate Ahn should also participate in the opposition primary."

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