People Party Shifts to Opposition Candidate Unification Strategy?..."Ahn Cheol-soo and Lee Jun-seok Do Not Feel the Need for a Final Negotiation"

"An Cheolsu Does Not Feel the Need to Meet with Lee Junseok"
"An Representative's Role Needed Again to Expand the Opposition Base"
"Not a Party Without Money, Organization, or Dignity"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Negotiations for the merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party have reached a critical point. Within the People’s Party, skeptical voices are emerging, saying that "regardless of the merger, the integration has failed" and expressing that they "do not feel the necessity" for meetings between party leaders. There is also talk of a possible unified opposition candidate primary in November.

On the 3rd, Kwon Eun-hee, the floor leader of the People’s Party, appeared on MBC Radio’s ‘Kim Jong-bae’s Focus’ and stated, "Currently, People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo does not feel the need to meet with People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok." She added, "The goal of the merger was integration, and through integration, we aimed to expand the opposition’s base, but given the current situation, regardless of whether the merger succeeds or not, it is judged to be a failure."

She also expressed her personal opinion that a plan for unifying opposition candidates after the People Power Party’s presidential primary should be considered. Floor leader Kwon said, "I think Ahn’s role is needed again to expand the opposition’s base. I believe there is a need for Ahn to run as a presidential candidate and fulfill this role." This implies that a unified primary should be considered later without a merger.

Lee Tae-gyu, secretary-general of the People’s Party, also appeared on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ and emphasized, "Considering our current party strength, we may lack money and organization, but we are not a party without any pride. We must not damage that." This reflects the view that the People Power Party does not respect the smaller People’s Party.

The People Power Party continues to apply pressure. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, appeared on KBS Radio’s ‘Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs’ and warned, "(The scenario of opposition unification in November) might be seen as a way for Ahn to maximize his value, but from my and our party’s judgment, by that time, neither the People’s Party nor Ahn will have enough strength to call for unification." He added, "It is right to participate in opposition unification as soon as possible, and saying you will do it in November would be a huge misjudgment."

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