Ahn Cheol-soo "Not Paying Attention to Lee Jun-seok's Criticism"... Confidence in Becoming a 'Science and Technology Power'

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is holding a declaration ceremony for his candidacy in the 20th presidential election in front of the fountain at the National Assembly Lawn Plaza on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party who declared his candidacy for the presidential election, expressed that he "does not care" about Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, who made negative remarks about him.

On the 2nd, during a public pressure interview hosted by the People’s Party Public Office Candidate Recommendation Management Committee, when the comment "Leader Lee said that whatever Ahn says, just understand it the opposite way" was brought up, Ahn responded accordingly.

Ahn said, "My mind is currently filled with thoughts on how to develop the Republic of Korea," emphasizing, "There is a limit to the energy a person can use, so I do not have the capacity to care about that."

Regarding criticism that he broke his promise not to run for president, Ahn explained, "I did not reverse my words," adding, "I think it was during the Seoul mayoral election when I clearly said that if I were elected (as Seoul mayor), I would not quit midway and run for president again. I said I would run for re-election as Seoul mayor to change Seoul."

Panelists asked whether the fact that his presidential candidacy is set for November 1st, not September or October, was influenced by the People Power Party’s primary schedule. The People Power Party will select its final candidate on the 5th. Ahn replied, "That was not a consideration. I thought about it for a long time," and said, "I decided to step forward to properly lead the direction of our country."

Addressing the Democratic Party’s criticism labeling him a "habitual candidate," Ahn used the term "shameless." He said, "The presidents the Democratic Party is most proud of are former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun. President Kim was elected on his fourth attempt, and President Roh ran multiple times knowing he would lose," adding, "Those who make such remarks are actually people who do not know the history of the Democratic Party and are not qualified to be Democratic Party members."

Ahn identified "a science and technology powerhouse" as the most confident change he can lead. He said, "We can build a science and technology powerhouse. Then naturally, we can become a startup nation," explaining, "I believe the government and the private sector should be distinguished; creating companies and jobs is the private sector’s role. The nation’s role is to build a science and technology powerhouse."

Meanwhile, the public pressure interview panel included former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok, Professor Seo Min of Dankook University and author of the 'Cho Kuk Black Book,' and current affairs commentator Choi Soo-young.

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