Yoon-Ahn Unification "Completely Unexpected" Leaves Democratic Party Embarrassed

24 Hours Emergency System Until Presidential Election
Sim Sang-jung Rejects Unity Love Call

[Asia Economy Reporters Juyoun Oh, Gimin Lee, Myunghwan Lee] On the 3rd, the Democratic Party sharply raised its level of caution by criticizing the unification of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the People Party's presidential candidate, as a "seat-sharing collusion" and an "abnormal political act." Although they were taken aback by the unification declaration made just one day before the early voting day (the 4th), they plan to switch to a 24-hour emergency system for the remaining six days until the presidential election and respond with full force.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

That morning, the Democratic Party's election committee held an emergency meeting of the headquarters leadership and resolved to "respond calmly but with extraordinary determination and resolve to do our best until the end." Woo Sang-ho, the general headquarters chief of the election committee, held a press briefing after the emergency meeting and said, "Although a last-minute variable has occurred, we concluded that the strategy and policy direction of the candidate and the election committee so far remain valid," adding, "We have decided to continue to emphasize the character argument that 'the competent economic president Lee Jae-myung is the most suitable candidate as the next president.'" He explained that there would be no major changes to candidate Lee's campaign tone or election strategy despite the unification of opposition candidates.

However, they did not hide their intense tension over the voting tendencies of candidate Ahn, who is receiving support from moderate and non-affiliated voters. Since the Lee camp has been placing weight on the 'failure of opposition candidate unification' and both candidate Lee and party leader Song Young-gil have continuously sent love calls to candidate Ahn by proposing a 'unified government,' the rapidly changing atmosphere just before the early voting has heightened their sense of crisis. Woo emphasized to party members and supporters, "I appeal to you to act with extraordinary determination. We still have six days left." This was interpreted as a strategy to consolidate their support base as much as possible. At the same time, they appeared to be trying to prevent the ripple effects of the opposition candidate unification from spreading.

After the press conference, Woo told reporters, "We did not expect an agreement (on unification) just one day before early voting," and disparaged the surprise meeting held at dawn as "an abnormal political act."

He also targeted conflicts during the unification process and the resulting voter fatigue, saying, "It is not beautiful," and emphasized, "Such a form of unification will find it very difficult to achieve the level of effect the two candidates expected. Rather, there is a possibility of a backlash." He questioned, "Will the public properly evaluate the two candidates' alliance and coalition?" and said, "I do not think Ahn's supporters will go to Yoon."

On the 2nd, one week before the 20th presidential election, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, attended the 3rd invited candidates debate for the 20th presidential election hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul, preparing for the debate with a relaxed expression. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Meanwhile, with candidate Ahn's withdrawal turning the presidential race into a 'three-way contest,' Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party's presidential candidate, also drew attention. Although there were suggestions of a possible alliance with candidate Lee's camp, both parties drew a clear line. Woo said skeptically, "Early voting starts tomorrow; will it happen now?" Lee Dong-young, the Justice Party's chief spokesperson, also expressed regret over Ahn's unification declaration, saying in a phone call, "Ahn, who said he would end two-party politics, made a unification declaration, which is regrettable," and emphasized, "Sim Sang-jung is the only one left who can open multi-party and coalition politics."

Candidate Sim plans to hold a special press conference at the National Assembly to state her position on the opposition candidate unification and to appeal for participation in early voting and support. This is interpreted as reaffirming her intention to reject political alliances with the ruling party and to complete her candidacy until the end. On the morning of the 3rd, candidate Sim also appeared on MBC Radio and emphasized, "I will do my best in the remaining period with a sense of mission to change the politics of the Republic of Korea."

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