Ahn Cheol-soo and Geum Tae-seop Unification Method... Lee Tae-gyu "Polls Reflect Citizens' Will"

"Polling Methods Should Be Applied Equally in Unification with People Power Party"
"Open to Candidates but Difficult for Those Who Are Ridiculed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Tae-gyu, Secretary General of the People’s Party, predicted that the unification method for the third zone opposition candidate will be 100% based on public opinion polls. He also expressed a skeptical view regarding the possibility of A-group primary participation by Heo Kyung-young, leader of the National Revolutionary Party, and others.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 4th, Secretary General Lee appeared on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' and shared his opinions on the unification method of the broad opposition candidates, including People’s Party Seoul mayoral preliminary candidate and leader Ahn Cheol-soo and Seoul mayoral preliminary candidate Geum Tae-seop. Lee said, “Given the current situation with COVID-19, it is actually difficult to have any on-site participation voting,” and added, “The most accurate way to reflect the will of Seoul citizens is through public opinion polls.”

He added, “I think it is necessary to discuss practically various aspects such as the sample size and suitability or competitiveness.” Furthermore, Secretary General Lee stated, “I believe this method is a component that will be applied not only to candidate Geum but also when negotiating unification with the People Power Party later.” He emphasized that the final unification process of the broad opposition candidates, expected next month, will inevitably be based on public opinion polls.

He also expressed that practical discussions must take place regarding the specific public opinion poll methods. In response to the host’s question, “Will it be decided by a single public opinion poll?” he said, “We need to discuss it practically,” and added, “Even if it is a single poll, there are differences such as whether to use a single polling agency or multiple agencies.”

When asked about the possibility of participation by the Our Republican Party or leader Heo, Secretary General Lee said, “The center of Group A is candidate Ahn and candidate Geum, so it seems that discussions should be between the two.” Regarding the primary election gate, he also mentioned, “If a candidate breaks the sincerity of unification or ridicules the primary process, we need to make a judgment based on common sense.”

Regarding the policy debates emphasized by candidate Geum, he expressed the opinion that aspects such as the excitement of the primary should also be considered. Secretary General Lee said, “The primary of Group A (with candidates Ahn and Geum) should be more interesting and substantive compared to Group B, which is the People Power Party primary,” and added, “The two candidates need to focus on these aspects intensively.”

Regarding the high support rate for Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party Seoul mayoral preliminary candidate, in some public opinion polls, he expressed the view that candidate Ahn’s competitiveness is needed. He said, “The support base based on candidate Ahn’s personal competitiveness is surprisingly solid,” and also mentioned, “It is an undisputed fact that candidate Ahn is the only candidate who can beat the ruling party candidate.”

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