Lee Jun-seok "Ahn Cheol-soo Will Eventually Give Up... Talks of Unification Arise Due to Desperate Situation"

"An's Mention of Unification Means Shaking Up the Election to Boost His Own Recognition"

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is answering reporters' questions before boarding the Yoon Seok-yeol campaign promotion "Passion Train" departing from Cheonan Station on the morning of the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, predicted that Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party who proposed opposition candidate unification, will "eventually drop out (of the presidential race)."

In an interview with YTN’s news program 'News Q' on the 14th, Lee said, "I have made several predictions about candidate Ahn so far," adding, "Unfortunately, this time my prediction has come true again. If I were to predict now, (candidate Ahn) will eventually drop out of the presidential race."

Lee said, "Regarding candidate Ahn’s remarks on the 13th, his explanation was like this," and quoted, "'I don’t really want to unify, but I’m doing it because people around me told me to.' This is not a sincere statement." He then criticized, "Currently, proposing to conduct opinion polls and negotiate rules is essentially eliminating policy-based elections and shaking up the election to increase his (candidate Ahn’s) recognition."

He also raised his voice, saying, "It is very inappropriate to behave as if playing games in front of the people," and added, "From the beginning, the People’s Party and candidate Ahn lacked the intention to complete the presidential race, and it can be evaluated that they tried to gain political advantage through unification at the most appropriate time to most trouble the conservatives."

When asked, "Do you think candidate Yoon can win even without unification?" Lee replied, "I believe he can win," and said, "I think candidate Ahn is seeking an escape route because it is difficult for him to continue the election."

Lee said, "Now is not the time to talk about unification or anything like that," and added, "Since the official election campaign starts on the 15th with campaign vehicles going around, it would be best if each candidate makes efforts to complete the race as they have consistently stated. Because the People’s Party is in a desperate situation, talks of concession or unification are coming up, but the accurate expression would be 'giving up and then declaring support.'"

Regarding the recent controversy over candidate Yoon’s 'photo of shoe soles on the train,' he said, "Our candidate was somewhat careless, so we expressed regret. We apologize."

About the plan for candidate Yoon to meet former President Park Geun-hye, Lee said, "The campaign headquarters or the party is not pursuing such a plan," but added, "We will consider it depending on changes in the situation."

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