Ahn Cheol-soo: "Changing Rules to Check Specific Individuals Is Not Honorable"

"Lowering the Proportion of Public Opinion Reflection Is a Self-Defeating Move That Alienates the Centrist Faction"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ahn Cheol-soo, a leading candidate for the ruling party's next leadership, criticized the calls to lower the proportion of non-member votes, including demands for 100% party member voting in the party convention primary rules, saying, "Lowering the reflection ratio of public opinion is a self-defeating move that distances us from the centrist voters."

On the same day, Ahn stated through his social network service (SNS), "Changing the rules to check a specific person is not honorable. Even with the current rules, the results will not go against public sentiment and party sentiment."

This was a critique of the voices within the party calling for a 'change in the primary rules' to check former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who is leading the opinion polls ahead of the party convention. Regarding the controversy over the reverse voting prevention clause in the primary rules, he said, "Since it is a party leader election, it can be sufficiently considered," but expressed concerns about changing the current 70:30 ratio between party member votes and general opinion polls.

Ahn said, "The 16,394,815 votes (48.56%) that President Yoon Seok-youl received in the last presidential election were the result of an alliance between People Power Party members and non-member friendly groups (centrists)," adding, "Reducing or completely blocking the participation of non-member friendly groups this time and appealing for support in the general election is contradictory."

He continued, "To expand the base for victory in the general election, it is reasonable to increase the proportion of public opinion, but considering the sharply conflicting opinions, maintaining the current system is the best option," adding, "There are also claims for 100% party member voting, but by that logic, only delegates could vote."

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