Ahn Cheol-soo Targets Democratic Party, Saying "Even After Public Judgment, 'Ddaekkaemun' Debate Continues"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, pointed out on the 15th, "The ruling party and government have been judged by public opinion in this by-election, yet they still cannot escape the 'Ddaekkaemun' debate."

'Ddaekkaemun' refers to the group that fervently supports President Moon Jae-in. Ahn’s remark is interpreted as criticism that despite the Democratic Party’s crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections, they still engage in factional politics and fail to properly read public sentiment.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Ahn said, "It is truly frustrating to see them believe that 'complete prosecution reform' is a form of reform," and criticized, "Since the founding of the Republic of Korea, there has never been a government this incompetent and pathetic. Let’s think about what the president and the ruling party have done."

Regarding the 'prosecution reform' pushed by the government and the Democratic Party, he said, "From the early days of the administration, they invoked the spirit of the candlelight protests and focused on eliminating political opposition as 'deep-rooted evils,' but starting with the Cho Kuk incident, they themselves revealed to the whole world that they were the real deep-rooted evils and hypocrites."

On economic policy, he raised his voice, saying, "They brought out the unheard-of income-led growth theory and ruined the economy of ordinary people and jobs," and "Their 25 losses out of 25 attempts in real estate policy have caused the people to shed tears of blood and crushed their dreams of owning a home."

On April 7 by-election, O Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate who secured victory as Seoul mayor, is seen receiving a bouquet and celebrating around midnight on the 8th at the vote counting situation room in the Yeouido party headquarters in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

He also said, "The Blue House and ruling party are rife with double standards in personnel appointments, lawmakers and local government heads obsessed with leaking development information in advance for private gain, and employees of public enterprises like LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation)?the list goes on endlessly."

Regarding President Moon Jae-in, he said, "We need to change the president’s mindset and leadership first. The direction and attitude of state affairs must change," and urged, "It is time to activate the consultative body between the ruling and opposition parties and sit down with the leaders of all parties."

In particular, Ahn emphasized the role of the opposition. He said, "If the opposition tries to live off the reflected benefits, the people will wield the whip they used against the ruling party in the by-election against the opposition this time," and stressed, "The opposition must open the way for overcoming Korea’s crisis and for innovation toward the future."

He added, "The People’s Party and I, Ahn Cheol-soo, promise the people that we will dedicate ourselves to correcting wrong policies, properly solving livelihood issues, and creating a proper future vision for the Republic of Korea."

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