"Merger or Breakdown"... Ahn Cheol-soo's Decision to Be Announced on the 16th

Kwon Eun-hee Mentions Opposition Unified Candidate Selection Committee and Suggests Party Charter Amendment
Political Scars for Ahn Cheol-soo Inevitable Whether Integration or Breakdown

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, will announce his final position on the merger with the People Power Party on the 16th. However, since the People’s Party is already preparing for the situation following the failure of the merger, it appears that the merger talks between the two parties are heading toward collapse.

A People’s Party official said on the 13th, "Leader Ahn will release a statement regarding the integration on the morning of the 16th." Earlier, Ahn had stated that he would "take time to deliberate this week." The People’s Party maintains that no official conclusion has been reached regarding the integration until Ahn’s announcement, but there are clear signs of preparing for independent survival instead of a merger. On the same day, Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People Power Party, appeared on the radio and said, "Party members have been watching the arrogant attitude of the People Power Party and remarks mocking the People’s Party, and a sentiment has formed that this is not a group pursuing opposition unity for regime change."

Floor leader Kwon also appeared to treat the failure of the integration as a foregone conclusion and disclosed plans for political response. She mentioned efforts to amend the party constitution to form an ‘opposition unified candidate selection committee’ within the party. In this case, the party constitution and regulations that prohibit holding party positions while running for president would be nullified, allowing Leader Ahn to become the presidential candidate for the People’s Party. Additionally, there was mention of considering holding a primary election for the entire opposition or a third-zone presidential candidate by contacting former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Kim Dong-yeon and others.

For Leader Ahn, who is currently ‘reclusively’ deliberating, it seems difficult to avoid political damage whether the integration succeeds or fails. If he chooses failure, it would appear as if he first proposed the merger and then reversed his position, damaging his credibility as a politician. Conversely, if he decides to integrate, he may be praised for keeping his promise but must accept a narrowing position in competition with People Power Party primary candidates.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has stated that it will wait without further response until Leader Ahn announces his position. Yang Jun-woo, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "There will be no further proposals regarding integration from our party."

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