Ahn Cheol-soo: "No Plans to Challenge Local Elections or Party Leadership... Committed to Expanding Party Support Base"

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is holding a press conference on the morning of the 30th at the Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Transition Committee Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee who declined the position of Prime Minister in the new government, drew a clear line on the 30th by stating, "I have no intention of challenging this year's local elections or party leadership."

Ahn made this remark during a press briefing held at the briefing room on the first floor of the Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, that morning.

After revealing that he had declined the Prime Minister position in a private meeting with President-elect Yoon Seok-youl the day before, Ahn explained the background by saying, "Having run twice for Seoul mayor and president recently, I thought I needed to recharge to focus more on serving the country and the people."

When asked by reporters whether he intended to return after recharging to challenge the governorship of Gyeonggi Province or the (People Power Party) party leadership, Ahn responded, "I have no thoughts about the local elections," adding, "Representative Lee Jun-seok's term lasts until next year. I am not currently considering party leadership."

He also stated, "(The People Power Party and the People’s Party) are currently engaged in the second round of negotiations for a merger and are in talks," adding, "I believe there is much I can contribute to broadening the party’s support base and stabilizing the administration."

Ahn further criticized the two major parties, saying that the Democratic Party disappointed the people during its five years in power, and the People Power Party acted to protect certain vested interests.

Regarding ways to broaden the People Power Party’s support base and stabilize the administration, he pointed out, "I believe it is necessary to become a mass party that approaches the people and prioritizes solving livelihood issues."

When asked if marginalized groups such as women and people with disabilities should be included in the party’s expanded support base, he replied, "Of course. I started politics to help those marginalized and struggling in society. Not only people with disabilities, but also the younger generation," emphasizing, "Helping those people is about building the community of the Republic of Korea. That is something only politics can do."

In response to the question of whether Ahn, who has a small political faction within the People Power Party, can carry out reforms, he dismissed concerns by saying, "The greatest power for party reform is the people. If public sentiment gathers around the need for reform, parties and politicians inevitably change," adding, "Otherwise, they disappear. The important thing is public sentiment."

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