Ahn Cheol-soo Selected as Third-Base Seoul Mayor Candidate... "Expecting Beautiful Opposition Unity" (Comprehensive)

Geum Tae-seop "Plan to Support Opposition Candidate's Victory"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, who declared his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong, Park Juni] Ahn Cheol-soo, the preliminary candidate of the People’s Party running for the Seoul mayoral by-election, defeated independent candidate Geum Tae-seop and was decided as the unified candidate for the third zone primary. Ahn is hoping for an agreement on a 'beautiful unification' between the People Power Party and the opposition.

The camps of candidates Ahn and Geum announced at 10 a.m. on the 1st at the National Assembly that Ahn won the public opinion poll conducted among general citizens for the unification of the two candidates.

Ahn and Geum met at the National Assembly on the 4th of last month to hold talks on unification in the third zone. After two debates, a 100% national public opinion poll was conducted on the 27th of last month. According to the guidance of the Central Election Commission, the poll results were not disclosed.

Regarding the election result, candidate Geum said on social media platform Facebook, "I sincerely congratulate the victorious candidate Ahn" and "I hope there will be good results in this election."

He added, "I deeply thank those who ran together for the independent candidate who challenged with a small possibility, and everyone who did not spare support and encouragement for my shortcomings."

Candidate Ahn also said on Facebook, "I express my gratitude and consolation to candidate Geum who fought until the end," and "With candidate Geum’s bold decision and participation, the snowball for regime change has started to gather and roll."

Ahn stated that he would meet the People Power Party candidate as soon as the candidate is selected. The People Power Party candidate is scheduled to be decided on the 4th. Ahn emphasized, "Now we must select the final opposition unified candidate who can surely win by following the will of the citizens," and "The process for selecting the final candidate must be carried out swiftly."

He also explained, "Candidates and parties entering the final runoff must be careful not to take any actions that would pour cold water on the passionate desire of the people for regime change during the unification process," and "We must also block the ruling party’s maneuvers to disrupt and tarnish the unification."

Ahn expressed to the People Power Party, "We declare that we are partners and collaborators who compete and simultaneously help and support each other for regime change, and we hope that an agreement on a beautiful unification method that the public, candidates, and supporters all sympathize with will be reached immediately," adding, "Only then can the entire opposition support the final candidate with one heart regardless of who is selected."

Meanwhile, candidate Geum plans to help ensure the opposition candidate’s victory in the remaining election process. It is uncertain whether he will join Ahn’s camp. In a phone call, Geum said, "Since I participated in the third zone primary, I hope Ahn wins, but whoever it is, I will do my best personally for the opposition candidate’s victory."

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