Ahn Cheol-soo: "I Will Propose the New Town Special Act as My First Bill" [June 1 Local Election Interview]

Strengthening the National Assembly Ethics Committee Bill Also a Pledge
"Sorry for the Hurt Caused by Not Completing the Presidential Race"

Ahn Cheol-soo, People Power Party candidate for Bundang-gap./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] Ahn Cheol-soo, the People Power Party candidate running in the by-election for the Seongnam Bundang-gap National Assembly seat, appeared noticeably more relaxed. Despite managing an average of about 10 appointments a day, there was no sign of fatigue on his face.

Ahn emphasized that this election marks his first one-on-one contest since entering politics 9 years and 8 months ago. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 30th in Pangyo, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Ahn said, "When I see residents waving their hands from their cars, I feel grateful, but at the same time, it also means there are high expectations, which adds pressure."

Ahn is determined to meet as many people as possible until the very end to convey his sincere earnestness and do his best. Below is a Q&A with candidate Ahn.

- Why did you decide to run in Bundang-gap?

▲ In a situation where the opposition holds the majority, securing reform momentum is necessary, and the only way to do that is through local elections. The key is Gyeonggi Province. I decided to help the Gyeonggi Province election in any form, and then a by-election arose in Bundang-gap, where I have direct ties. Being on the field as a player has the greatest influence, so I decided to run.

- If elected, what will be your first legislative proposal?

▲ There are two main issues. The most important local issue is the Special Act on First-generation New Towns. Bundang has redevelopment issues. Five bills have been submitted by both ruling and opposition parties, but some content was missing from the legislation. I will work to allow for consolidated review. Also, since the National Assembly must regain public trust, I will propose legislation to strengthen the National Assembly Ethics Committee. I want to amend the National Assembly Act to grant it authority for a one-strike-out policy on sexual offenses. Members should not cover for each other. The Ethics Committee’s role must be substantially strengthened to earn public trust in whatever actions are taken.

Ahn Cheol-soo, People's Power Party candidate for Bundang Gap./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

- Many supporters were disappointed during the presidential candidate unification process.

▲ When I ran in the last presidential election, I made two promises: ‘to be a key figure in regime change’ and ‘to complete the race.’ But a week before the election, I had to choose only one. Completing the race would have meant no regime change. So I chose regime change. I deeply regret hurting those who firmly believed I would complete the race. I feel very sorry. The hurt I caused them is a debt I may never repay in my lifetime. (During the interview, Ahn paused briefly, expressing his desire to sincerely apologize to his supporters.)

- As the chairman of the presidential transition committee, how do you assess South Korea’s economic household accounts?

▲ The fiscal issue is the most serious. The most critical is D4 (central and local governments + public institutions and enterprises + pension liabilities). D4 includes unpaid pension amounts, such as national pension and government employee pension, which are debts that must be repaid someday, but the amount is enormous. Globally, expansionary fiscal policies were implemented over the past two years to compensate for losses. As a result, inflation worsened, and from this year, contractionary fiscal policies began. Inflation is the most frightening. Inflation can even ruin a country. Especially now, household debt is at an all-time high, and the inability to cover interest costs must be managed. This is the biggest dilemma our country faces. The current government must manage and operate this well.

- How do you evaluate the operation of the transition committee?

▲ The commonality in all my lifelong work is organizational management. (This transition committee) had no noise or controversy. (laughs) We didn’t just turn pledges into government tasks; we first organized what the spirit of our era is. Within that framework, we turned pledges into government tasks. I identified seven main era spirits: ① Establishing fairness, justice, democracy, and the rule of law ② Creating future jobs (food sources) ③ Regional balanced development ④ Sustainability (including population, pensions, finances, carbon neutrality) ⑤ National unity ⑥ Self-reliant security ⑦ Contributing to the international community befitting the status of a global top 10 economy. The transition committee had 24 minister-level members, plus bureau-level experts, section chiefs, and advisory members, totaling hundreds. I gathered them and set three principles. First, no occupying force behavior. Senior officials who worked under the Moon Jae-in administration are not criminals. Capable people should work together. Second, if any transition committee member gives interviews on their own without joint discussion and decision, they will be dismissed. (At that time, Ahn emphasized humility, communication, and responsibility as the three principles.)

Ahn Cheol-soo, People's Power Party candidate for Bundang Gap./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

- What kind of party should the People Power Party become?

▲ This applies not only to the People Power Party but also to the Democratic Party. The world is becoming more polarized, and parties that cannot warmly embrace socioeconomically vulnerable groups will be ignored by the public. If a party only supports certain conglomerates or labor unions, it will be shunned by the people. Next, only parties that look at social problems realistically, seek solutions, solve problems, and change the world?that is, parties with a pragmatic approach?will be recognized by the public.

- Is a multiparty system still viable?

▲ I am the only one who has endured in the third zone for 10 years like this. I still believe multipartyism is the way forward. If multipartyism becomes possible in our country, at least two parties will be able to talk, compromise, and cooperate. That is politics. The two-party system only fights. That is not politics. Since our people are divided, moving toward a multiparty system is right. The two parties benefit from the two-party system, so they do not want to create multipartyism. We must persuade people in the two parties to make multipartyism possible. No matter how much people outside shout, multipartyism cannot be maintained. That is my concern.

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