Kim Dong-yeon on Ahn Cheol-soo's Willingness to Cooperate: "I Will Not Hesitate to Meet and Talk"

Suggesting the Possibility of Third-Party Alliance

Former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Dong-yeon, who declared his presidential bid, is announcing the pledge "Education Reform Without Fail - A 10-Year Promise" at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Kim Dong-yeon, the preparatory committee chairman of the New Wave party, left open the possibility of an alliance with Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, saying, "If we agree on making the Republic of Korea a country full of opportunities, I would not hesitate to meet and have a conversation." This was a response to Ahn’s recent remark that "there is room to join forces" with Kim. Kim and Ahn are also keeping open the possibility of an alliance with Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party candidate, who represents another third force.

On the 16th, after a policy announcement press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, Kim told reporters, "As I have argued, Korea is currently a republic of vested interests, but if we agree on dismantling these vested interests and sincerely commit to relinquishing even our own vested interests," he said. However, he added, "I am not interested in uniting or splitting based on political engineering or the pros and cons of power," drawing a clear line against unification or alliances for political purposes.

On the 14th, Ahn suggested the possibility of cooperation with Kim and Sim during MBN’s 'Sisa Special.' He said, "Others probably also have concerns about the two major vested-interest parties alternating power," and added, "If the opportunity arises, we can talk and, if there are common policies, we can cooperate on policies."

Sim also said in a media interview on the same day, "We can cooperate to end the two-party system," but added, "That’s as far as it goes." However, direct communication among the three has not yet progressed to a more advanced stage.

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