Ahn Cheol-soo: "Ahn Cheol-soo's advance to change the Republic of Korea will not stop"

"Fulfilling the Duty Given by the Era and the People"
"Congratulations to Oh Se-hoon... President Moon Must Be Judged"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. After the meeting, he held a press conference regarding the unification of the Seoul mayoral candidate. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party candidate for Seoul mayor, stated on the 23rd, “My challenge for Seoul mayor on April 7 ends here, but my dream and determination will not change,” adding, “My advance to overcome the old established politics and change Korea with new politics will never stop, no matter how lonely or difficult it may be.”

After losing the unification primary to Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, Ahn held a press conference to express his support for Oh and share his reflections. Ahn said to Oh, “I sincerely congratulate you,” and “I ask you to win decisively and judge the Moon Jae-in administration.”

He continued, “I will also do my best to support the opposition’s victory,” reaffirming his intention to assist Oh’s Seoul mayoral campaign. After listing citizens, party members, and supporters one by one, Ahn expressed gratitude, saying, “I am always indebted and sorry. Without you, how could the People’s Party, which is incomparable in organization, funds, and number of seats, and I, Ahn Cheol-soo, have competed equally against a large party until the end?”

Ahn reflected, “It would have been good to win the election, but we could also lose,” adding, “I was the first to open the way for opposition unification, and where there were obstacles, I gave up everything and made concessions to overcome them. I did my best to make unification successful. Although I lost, I believe I lost with principles.”

Ahn said, “Although I lost, I am confident that many people saw hope that Korean politics can change by watching the opposition’s Seoul mayor unification process,” and “I promise to fulfill the duties entrusted to me by the times and the people.”

After announcing his position, when meeting with reporters, regarding the ‘merger with the People Power Party,’ he reiterated, “Now we must focus on winning the Seoul mayor election,” and “After that, I have said that we must achieve a grand opposition unity for next year’s presidential election.” Regarding the Seoul city administration cooperation, which is known to have been discussed with Oh, he said, “Oh will explain at an appropriate time.” About future support for Oh’s mayoral campaign, he said, “If Oh requests me to be a (co-chief campaign committee member), I will do so.” To reporters, he said, “You will keep coming during the election, right?” and “I ask for your support.”

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