People's Party Youth Committee Member to Ahn: "Regime Change Must Happen... Please Open the Door for Unification"

"For the People Suffering from Unscientific Quarantine Policies, Regime Change Is Necessary"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party (left), and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party, are preparing for the debate at the 2nd political field broadcast debate for the 20th presidential election hosted by the National Election Commission, held on the 25th at the SBS studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As negotiations for opposition unity between Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party, have effectively collapsed, on the 27th, a senior youth committee member of the People Party urged candidate Ahn to "open the door to unity."

Kim Geun-tae, senior youth committee member of the People Party, posted on his Facebook on the same day an article titled "I hope this presidential election becomes one where candidate Ahn Cheol-soo's 'vision' completes its course," expressing this view.

He said, "Our People Party is contesting this presidential election under the vision of a science and technology powerhouse and the 555 super-gap strategy," adding, "However, this vision cannot be realized unless the Democratic Party's return to power is prevented."

He continued, "During the five years of the Democratic Party government, our country had to voluntarily relinquish its status as a nuclear power leader, and the people suffered due to unscientific K-quarantine measures," asserting, "The Democratic Party's return to power would mean a setback for a science-strong Republic of Korea."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the 27th at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, regarding unification talks with Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, senior committee member Kim emphasized, "To realize our vision and values, regime change must come first. Whether to rebuild the collapsed science and technology policies and infrastructure, or to save the people suffering under unscientific quarantine policies, regime change is necessary. That will be the path to realizing our values."

He addressed candidate Ahn, saying, "I believe you agree that the opposition should come together to establish a joint vision and create a unified candidate to realize it. If so, please open the door to unity," adding, "No matter what attitude the other side shows toward you, we must demonstrate sincerity to the people."

He added, "I remember your words about becoming a catalyst and playing any role for regime change," and urged, "Please make a decision. We will stand by you."

He also stated, "If by any chance, the person chosen as the unified candidate to realize the opposition's joint vision shows betrayal of Ahn Cheol-soo's values and the spirit of the People Party, I will be the first to stand up and fight against it," expressing, "I dream of a future where Ahn Cheol-soo's vision becomes the opposition's joint vision and a national agenda after regime change. I hope this presidential election becomes one where candidate Ahn's 'vision' completes its course."

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, is answering reporters' questions after finishing a campaign rally at Yi Sun-sin Square in Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do on the 27th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, candidate Yoon held a press conference at the Yeouido party headquarters on the same day, claiming, "We agreed on opposition unity with candidate Ahn, but candidate Ahn ultimately notified us of the breakdown."

He said, "Even now, if candidate Ahn sets a time and place, I would like to visit him anytime and have an open and honest conversation. I will wait for candidate Ahn's response."

However, candidate Ahn expressed a negative stance on the possibility of last-minute unity with candidate Yoon. After visiting the Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Hall in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, he responded to questions about unity by saying, "I have not heard anything."

Candidate Ahn said, "I already proposed it about ten days ago, but it was thoroughly ignored. I received no response," adding, "Continuing with lip service like this is neither politically ethical nor right toward the people."

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