'The Full Story of Unification Negotiations' Unusually Revealed by Yoon... "'A Move to End Negotiations? Pressure on Ahn?"

Yoon Seok-yeol Unusually Reveals Negotiation Details
Possible Pressure Tactic to Restart Talks with Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo
Relations May Sour, Unity Faces 'Dark Clouds'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-i] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, announced on the 27th that negotiations for unification with Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party, had broken down. He revealed the details of the negotiation process, stating that although the plenipotentiary representatives of both sides reached a final agreement, Candidate Ahn rejected it. This appears to be an attempt to pressure Candidate Ahn by highlighting that the responsibility for the breakdown of unification talks lies with Ahn's side.

On the same day, after introducing the progress of unification talks with Candidate Ahn, Candidate Yoon said, "If Candidate Ahn sets the time and place, I would like to turn the car around and visit him directly even if I am on my way to the provinces, and have an open-hearted conversation with him," adding, "I will not let go of the thread of hope for opposition unity for regime change, which is the aspiration of the people."

Although he took a humble stance to resume negotiations, much of the content was aimed at pressuring Candidate Ahn. First, the People Power Party disclosed all the negotiation progress that had taken place under the surface. It was revealed that negotiations had already been underway before Candidate Ahn proposed unification. It was also clarified that the unification method based on public opinion polls, which Candidate Ahn had advocated, was never brought to the negotiation table. Candidate Yoon stated, "In fact, during the process of unification discussions between the plenipotentiary representatives, the topic of public opinion polls never came up, and there was no discussion at all about whether to use the poll method for reverse selection at the negotiation table."

Text message content sent by Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, to Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party's presidential candidate / Provided by the People Power Party

Candidate Yoon introduced efforts to reach an agreement, saying, "I conveyed that I would visit Candidate Ahn's residence to show a respectful attitude," and "I also asked him to publicly propose a meeting, which he accepted." On the other hand, he said that Candidate Ahn's side told him, "Unannounced visits to the residence would lead to the collapse of unification, so do not even attempt it."

He also refuted the explanation that Candidate Ahn could not confirm Yoon's proposal due to phone and text message blocking by Yoon's supporters. Candidate Yoon said, "I do not know for sure whether he saw them or not, but after I called and texted Candidate Ahn, I told his associates to check the calls and messages, and I heard that they did see them." This directly contradicts Candidate Ahn's previous claims that he had not received contact from Yoon's side.

After disclosing all the negotiation progress, regarding the reason for Candidate Ahn's breakdown, Yoon said, "I received an answer that there seemed to be no special reason." This leaves no room for explanation other than Candidate Ahn's change of heart.

Kwon Young-se, the head of the People Power Party's general election campaign headquarters, explained in response to criticism that revealing the entire negotiation process might make negotiations more difficult, "The people are strongly demanding regime change on this matter, so I had no choice but to respond."

However, a People Power Party official made remarks with a different nuance. The official said, "If it becomes a matter of responsibility, unification will become difficult," but also stated, "Candidate Ahn should feel the national demand and request for unification and participate."

However, it is uncertain whether Candidate Ahn will resume negotiations in response to such pressure. There is also speculation that the worsening emotions between the two sides could cast a shadow over the possibility of unification talks altogether.

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