Why 'Soccer' Appeared in the O Se-hoon and Ahn Cheol-soo Candidate Unification

The Rule War Between People Power Party and People Party Intensifies
Controversies Over Bed Football, Son Heung-min-Kane, Semifinal Rules
Working-Level Talks Halted Amid Shouting to Resume on the 14th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The People Power Party and the People’s Party are fiercely competing over the unification of opposition candidates for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election. At the third meeting on the 12th, tensions escalated to the point where loud arguments were exchanged between the two sides. Both parties have repeatedly emphasized the necessity of candidate unification while comparing the negotiations to a soccer match. The working-level talks on candidate unification, known as the "war of rules," best reflect the strategy and intensity involved.

Simulation Football

During the first working-level negotiation on the 9th, which also served as a meet-and-greet, the term "simulation football" was introduced. Jeong Yang-seok, Secretary-General of the People Power Party, who is negotiating on behalf of candidate Oh Se-hoon, said, "Please stop using the term 'simulation football' from now on," adding, "We need to go for total football." In response, Lee Tae-gyu, Secretary-General of the People’s Party, representing candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, said, "The term 'simulation football' was coined by the media, and we have never used such a term even once," but added, "I thought a strong statement was necessary to get you to come out today."

In soccer, "simulation football" refers to a team deliberately wasting time by falling down and pretending to be hurt during minor physical confrontations when they are in a favorable position. The term surfaced because recent polls showed rising support for candidate Oh, leading to speculation that his side was intentionally dragging out negotiations slowly. After the party primary, the dispersed People Power Party supporters consolidated, and with the dramatic victory in the primary confirming the convention effect (a phenomenon where support surges due to political events), it is perhaps a natural strategy for candidate Oh to maximize his support.

Conversely, candidate Ahn’s side, now in a pressured position, has been urging to expedite the unification talks. The term "simulation football" emerged in this context.

"Would it be convincing to suddenly change the rules in the final match?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, the People’s Party prepared for a "war of rules" with the People Power Party from the process of unifying candidates between candidate Ahn and independent former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. The reason for their obsession with the rules, even in the unification method involving candidate Geum, who had relatively low support, was the judgment that this method could later be applied to the People Power Party’s approach.

On the other hand, the People Power Party mentioned various forms of candidate unification, including citizen-participatory primaries and jury panels. By proposing multiple methods, the People Power Party aimed to delay the unification process initially and to unsettle the primary method suggested by the People’s Party. This is a negotiation tactic to secure a more advantageous position.

Secretary-General Jeong referred to the soccer match analogy, insisting that the unification should proceed according to the existing primary method. He said, "When we play soccer, we have followed the existing method up to the semifinals, but would it be convincing to suddenly change the rules in the final match?"

Despite the willingness of candidates Oh and Ahn to negotiate, the talks have not gained momentum. The absence of objective rules for candidate unification allows each side to consider strategies that favor themselves. For example, whether to hold more debates, what questions to include in polls, or how to determine the poll participants?all these factors can affect the candidates’ advantages and disadvantages.

Both sides were particularly sensitive about the poll questions. Candidate Ahn’s side preferred questions asking which candidate is more competitive against the ruling party candidate. Since candidate Ahn, a former presidential contender, has led in polls since declaring his Seoul mayoral candidacy, he benefits from questions about competitiveness.

Conversely, the People Power Party preferred questions about candidate suitability. Candidate Oh has advantages in suitability due to his political background as the leader of the main opposition party and his experience as a former Seoul mayor. Depending on whether the question asks who is more competitive or who is more suitable as a candidate, poll trends can differ. Even including party names in polls has become a contentious issue.

Even preferred debate formats differ between the two sides.

"Son Heung-min had a teammate named Kane"

When unusual tensions regarding unification surfaced, candidate Ahn mentioned Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, who play in the English Premier League. On the 11th, meeting with reporters, candidate Ahn said, "Son Heung-min has a great teammate named Kane, and Son Ki-jeong had a comrade named Nam Seung-ryong who ran the lonely race with him," adding, "The People’s Party and the People Power Party have that kind of relationship." He continued, "If we join hands, no matter who crosses the finish line first, we will win together." From the perspective of opposition candidate unification, they are one team.

Despite these efforts, the two sides ended the third working-level meeting without any agreement after heated exchanges. However, with additional talks scheduled, the possibility of opposition candidate unification remains.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Candidate Oh stated on the 13th after attending the K-Pet Fair event, "The working-level negotiation team has agreed to resume talks tomorrow."

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