"Plus Integration" vs "Unrealistic Talk"... Intensified Tensions Amid Struggle for Merger

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party (second from the right), and Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential pre-candidate (second from the left), are performing a gesture symbolizing the complete recharge of presidential candidates on the morning of the 2nd at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] As discussions on the merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party continue, the exchanges between Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, are intensifying.

At the Supreme Council meeting on the 2nd, Lee said, "This week is a turning point and the deadline for the merger issue," adding, "The unification of the two parties is a top priority given by the people who desire a change of government, and if we go against this, we will become sinners of history."

On the same day, Lee commemorated the entry of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and former lawmaker Jang Sung-min, who were outside the party, by filling all the empty spaces in the battery image on the meeting room backdrop. This symbolized that all candidates had boarded the party’s primary bus and the battery was fully charged, which was interpreted as pressure on Ahn, who still remains outside the party, to participate in the primary through the merger.

However, Lee added, "In case anyone misunderstands, once the People’s Party merger procedure is complete, we will extend the battery to look like a long connection."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is holding a solo relay protest in front of the Blue House fountain on the morning of the 2nd, urging an investigation into the mastermind behind Druking and a truthful confession from the president.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day in the morning, Ahn held a one-person protest related to the 'Druking incident' in front of the Blue House and told reporters, "Currently, the combined support rate of ruling party presidential candidates is higher than that of the opposition," adding, "The opposition is in a crisis, and if things continue like this, a change of government will be impossible."

He then argued, "What is needed to overcome this crisis is a plus-type unification that can broaden the support base of the first and second opposition parties."

In response, Lee posted on his Facebook, "Now you even curse the unification between the two parties as a minus unification?" and said, "This was the unification you yourself proposed."

He continued, "If we change the party name, it’s a plus unification, and if not, it’s a minus unification?" adding, "If the substance of the plus unification is clear, I will listen carefully during the unification process."

He then directly stated, "Instead of such vague talk, I sincerely hope we can meet seriously and have substantive discussions about the merger."

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