Kwon Eun-hee: "No Resentment Over Yoon-An Unity... Apologies to the Citizens"

"An: Demonstrating Administrative Capability Is the Way to Fulfill Responsibility"

Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People's Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on July 12, 2021, delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Wooseok] Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, stated regarding Ahn Cheol-soo’s unification, "The authority related to unification was entirely with the candidate, so I had no hard feelings," but also said, "I felt very sorry to the citizens upon hearing the news of the unification."

On the 17th, Floor Leader Kwon appeared on KBS's 'The Live' and said, "On the afternoon of the day the unification was announced, I called Candidate Ahn and told him that fulfilling his promise to appoint talented individuals solely for the people and demonstrating administrative capability is the way to take responsibility."

He added, "After the election day, as discussions about the merger began in earnest, I told Candidate Ahn that regardless of his contribution to the election victory, we clearly made mistakes in the process, so I should take political responsibility," and emphasized, "Candidate Ahn is responsible to the people by leading Korea’s future with achievements and success. I trusted the promise in this process, but I empathize with the sense of emptiness that came from that trust, so I take responsibility for that."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, who was appointed as the chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee for President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Regarding his consistent refusal to merge with the People Power Party, he explained, "After the recent Seoul mayoral by-election, we had one round of merger discussions. I served as the head of the working-level negotiation team and proposed a new merger, but it was not accepted," and added, "This merger was included in the joint declaration of unification between candidates, so it inevitably had to be an absorption merger rather than a new merger, so I judged that I could not participate."

Meanwhile, on the 16th, Floor Leader Kwon posted on his Facebook, "Regardless of the party’s position, it is difficult to accept a merger that returns to the vested two-party system," and demanded that the People’s Party expel him.

Regarding his relationship with Leader Ahn, Floor Leader Kwon said, "Rather than a political breakup with Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, I requested expulsion and said that although we have worked together until now, going forward, we will have to proceed differently yet still together," and added, "Candidate Ahn’s response to the expulsion request was that he understands me but suggested we continue talking until the merger decision day."

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