Ahn Cheol-soo and Geum Tae-seop Begin Practical Talks on This Week's Unification Rules

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop agreed on the 4th to begin practical discussions within this week regarding the method of unification.

After their meeting at the National Assembly on the same day, Ahn told reporters, "The detailed matters will be discussed among the working-level staff," and added, "The first practical discussion will probably take place before Saturday (the 6th)."

Former lawmaker Geum proposed having the first debate before the Lunar New Year holiday begins on the 11th, and Ahn reportedly responded that they would finalize the specific schedule soon through practical discussions. The two are expected to conclude the primary election by the 4th of next month, coinciding with the end of the People Power Party’s own primary.

Ahn said, "I think it will be a little earlier than the People Power Party, probably by the end of February or early March." Former lawmaker Geum has no objections to this.

During the meeting, Geum agreed to all five conditions for the third-zone primary proposed by Ahn. The day before, Ahn had set conditions including ▲ agreeing to serve as a bridgehead for regime change ▲ correcting justice and fairness ▲ refraining from negative or personal slander remarks ▲ accepting the primary results ▲ achieving opposition unification through a second primary with the People Power Party candidate.

However, they did not discuss specific unification rules such as the polling method. Former lawmaker Geum explained, "Neither Ahn nor I insist on any unusual methods, so I think it will be a method of asking through polls who can win against the ruling party candidate."

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