Ahn Cheol-soo, first in opposition unification, begins power struggle with People Power Party... Kim Jong-in says "Well"

Finalizing the Third-Party Primary with Geum Tae-seop
People Power Party Candidate to Be Decided on the 4th
Anticipated Tensions Over Primary Rules

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] As the Seoul mayoral by-election approaches and the 'third zone primary' concludes, discussions on unification between Ahn Cheol-soo, the preliminary candidate of the People’s Party, and the People Power Party are expected to intensify.

On the 1st, a citizen opinion poll on opposition unification showed that candidate Ahn defeated former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. Ahn will face off against the confirmed People Power Party candidate on the 4th. With high public recognition, Ahn is likely to request that the unification poll focus on 'electability' rather than 'suitability as the opposition candidate.' In the primary poll against former lawmaker Geum, Ahn gauged his competitiveness by asking respondents to choose between 'Democratic Party candidate Park Young-sun and opposition unified candidate Ahn Cheol-soo.'

The People Power Party is also deliberating over the primary rules. It is reported that the Vision Strategy Office under the Emergency Response Committee is reviewing the final primary rules. One proposed method is to not distinguish between party members and the general public in the primary poll but to grant voting rights only to the electorate registered with the election commission.

Kim Jong-in, chairman of the People Power Party Emergency Response Committee, after attending the 102nd March 1st Movement anniversary ceremony at Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said to reporters, "Once our candidate is confirmed, we will discuss how to proceed then." Seemingly cautious of candidate Ahn, Chairman Kim added, "Unification requires mutual agreement; it cannot happen if one side insists unilaterally."

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