Ahn Cheol-soo and Oh Se-hoon Face Off: "Do You Have Sincerity for Unification?"

"LH Scandal Boosts Approval Ratings, Could It Undermine the Three-Party Structure?"

Ahn Cheol-soo, People's Party candidate for Seoul Mayor, Oh Se-hoon, People Power Party candidate for Seoul Mayor

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party candidate for Seoul mayor, responded to Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, who criticized him as a "candidate who will cause opposition division," by asking, "Do you have sincerity for unification?" He also pointed out that as Oh's approval ratings have recently risen, he might be trying to turn the Seoul mayoral election into a "three-way race."

On the 15th, at the People's Party Supreme Council meeting, Ahn said, "Yesterday (the 14th), I said I would create a greater No. 2 through a grand unification involving all opposition members," adding, "But Oh responded with talk of division."

On the previous day, the 14th, Oh posted on Facebook, "I have always been at the center of opposition division, and unification with a candidate who will cause division will lead to division in next year's presidential election as well," adding, "There are forces trying to cause division within the People Power Party under the pretext of political realignment to promote opposition division." This is interpreted as a reference to Ahn's side, with whom he is currently pursuing opposition unification.

In response, Ahn said, "It is surprising and shocking," adding, "He said I have always been at the center of division and will continue to be a candidate who causes division." He then criticized, "Is this something you can say to a unification negotiation partner? If so, isn't there no reason to unify with me?"

He continued, "I ask directly," and questioned, "Does Oh have sincerity for unification?" He also asked again, "Does Oh oppose the grand opposition unification I promised on the 14th? If he opposes it, how does he expect the opposition to unite and establish a foothold for regime change? Is there another way?"

Ahn pointed at Oh, saying, "Is he trying to lay the groundwork for a three-way race now that his approval ratings have risen a bit thanks to the recent LH scandal?"

He added, "Last year, when I risked my political life fighting against them, I don't even remember where he was, so he cannot call me the center or seed of opposition division," calling it "an insult not only to me but to all those who fought together against the Moon Jae-in administration."

Finally, he raised his voice, saying, "No matter how urgent it is, you must show at least basic courtesy to your unification negotiation partner."

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