Ahn Cheol-soo: "Haven't you heard the rumors about 'Anilhwa'... It means unification under Ahn Cheol-soo"

People's Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-hoo is giving a greeting at a policy meeting held at the Korean Medicine Association in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 14th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, drew attention on the 16th by making remarks suggesting unification with Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party. Regarding the possibility of unification with Yoon, Ahn said, "Have you never heard of ‘Anilhwa’? It means ‘unification under Ahn Cheol-soo.’ That’s what’s circulating in the market."

On the same day, during an appearance on KBS Sunday Diagnosis Live, Ahn responded to criticism that neither he nor Yoon mentioned unification first because both sides feared a drop in approval ratings despite needing unification. He said, "Opposition supporters who want a regime change will judge which candidate is more suitable and which candidate has greater expandability."

When asked if ‘Anilhwa’ means Ahn leading without unification, he replied, "Both apply, so that’s why the term is circulating." He used ‘Anilhwa’ to refer to both ‘leading without unification’ and ‘unification with Yoon.’

When the host asked if this was a step forward compared to previous unification remarks, Ahn drew a line by saying, "I just conveyed what’s circulating in the market."

Meanwhile, Ahn predicted that pressure for unification would focus on the People Power Party. He said, "The greatest responsibility for whether or not to achieve regime change lies with the main opposition party," adding, "It is normal for the main opposition party to consider what it should do and what it should present for the people who want regime change."

Regarding the possibility of the People Power Party proposing unification, he said, "I haven’t thought about it," and added, "Currently, the party leader opposes it, so what kind of proposal would they make? I am not considering it." When asked if he could absolutely deny unification until the presidential election, he said, "I can absolutely deny it."

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