People Power Party "An is not in a position to conduct polls" vs National Party "Political force lacking respect"... Unification showdown tension

Ahn Cheol-soo "No Internal Agreement in Kukhim"
Kim Han-gil's Role Emerges in Political Circles

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The People Power Party and the People’s Party are engaging in sharp conflicts immediately after promoting the unification of presidential candidates. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, belittled Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party candidate, by saying he is in a "cornered position," while Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, retorted that they are a "political force with no sense of respect." Both parties agree on the necessity of unification, but this is interpreted as an attempt to raise the value of their own candidates. The remaining week until the candidate registration period is expected to be the biggest turning point for candidate unification.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 8th, Lee Jun-seok appeared on KBS Radio and said, "What is called unification in a narrow sense means unification through public opinion polls, but considering the position Ahn Cheol-soo is in, such a method is unreasonable." He added, "There are talks that Ahn might make some decisions, but we are not considering unification through public opinion polls at all."

Lee’s use of expressions like "cornered position" and "unreasonable" targeting Ahn seems to reveal his negative stance on unification and the accumulated resentment from the failed merger process. Regarding the timing of unification, Lee expected it to be before the candidate registration period (13th-14th). He said, "I think some political decisions will have to be made before this Friday (11th)," showing a low expectation for unification efforts after candidate registration.

The People’s Party is superficially rejecting any discussion of unification itself. On the same day, Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, said on CBS Radio, "We are not even ‘calling back’ to discuss unification," and criticized, "(The People Power Party) is not a counterpart with whom we can quietly, directly, and sincerely talk." She added, "The People Power Party is not a political force that says ‘let’s meet and decide’ but rather a force that has predetermined the answer as ‘Yoon Seok-youl candidate’ and demands unconditional concession, so there can be no related movements." When asked if she sees the possibility of unification as 0%, she answered "Yes."

Regarding unification, Ahn said at the Kwanhun Club debate held at the Seoul Press Center that "I wonder what proposals could come out when there is no internal agreement within the People Power Party."

In political circles, there is speculation that former New Era Preparation Committee Chairman Kim Han-gil might intervene. Kim maintains relations with candidate Yoon and has past experience working with Ahn during the People’s Party days.

A source from the People Power Party said, "There have been cases where unification fell apart at the last moment, like during Roh Moo-hyun and Chung Mong-joon’s unification," and added, "It might be effective to do it right before the election to avoid it becoming a variable at the end of the presidential race."

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