Geum Tae-seop "Ahn Cheol-soo, Let's Have a Unified Primary"... Ahn "Need to See the Situation of Opposition Including People Power" (Summary)

Geum "I Will Change Old Politics"
Ahn "I Will Review Various Situations and Speak"

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, declared his candidacy for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election at a performance venue near Hongdae Entrance in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 31st.
Geum announced the following pledges: ▲ Establishment of a digital vice mayor system in Seoul ▲ Support fund of 2 million KRW per month for six months for self-employed individuals ▲ Job-seeking activity support fund of 500,000 KRW per month for six months for youth ▲ Promotion of 'Seoul-style public redevelopment' focused on redevelopment and reconstruction. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Geum Tae-seop, former member of the Democratic Party of Korea who declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election, proposed a 'third-party primary for selecting a unified candidate' to Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, on the 31st. Ahn avoided giving an immediate response.

On the morning of the same day, Geum held a press conference at a performance hall in Hongdae, Seoul, stating, "I propose a unification primary between Geum Tae-seop and Ahn Cheol-soo during the primary periods of each party," and added, "Let’s have a serious discussion about what is truly needed for people’s livelihoods and how to change the old politics."

Geum said, "The Democratic Party and the People Power Party are each conducting their own primaries," and added, "Let’s put aside the unsightly wrestling over primary rules and honestly discuss the real issues for Seoul citizens from each of our perspectives." He also said, "If we set a topic and debate once a week until early March, we can have four or five sessions," and added, "We will also accept unlimited questions from citizens and provide answers."

He emphasized, "After that, let’s give citizens the opportunity to choose," and said, "I am willing to meet candidate Ahn Cheol-soo anytime and anywhere to discuss unification."

Geum explained the background of his unification proposal to Ahn, saying, "While preparing to announce my candidacy, I intended to criticize the Moon Jae-in administration’s failures. There are so many points to point out and criticize," but added, "After deeper reflection, I changed my mind. I want to talk about the future rather than the past, and integration rather than blaming others."

On the 31st, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party and a candidate for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, visited Jangwi 15 District in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where redevelopment has been delayed, to listen to residents' concerns regarding issues such as aging housing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ahn avoided giving an immediate response to Geum’s proposal.

At a visit to Jangwi 15 District in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Ahn told reporters, "I have already made a proposal to the People Power Party, and I understand that internal discussions are underway." He added, "I will carefully review the various situations in the opposition and get back to you."

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