"If Breathing Is Long, You Choke"... Ahn Cheol-soo Raises Criticism Against Leadership

"Innovation Committee Launch, Is It Just a Stalling Tactic by Leadership?"
"An Organization Gains Strength When Leaders Make Sacrifices," Kim Ki-hyun Pressures

The People Power Party's Innovation Committee, led by In Yo-han, failed to enforce the ruling faction's recommendations for running or not running in difficult constituencies in the general election and ultimately decided on early dissolution on the 7th. On the same day, Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, who met with Chairman In, sharply criticized the Kim Ki-hyun leadership, saying, "Innovation has failed."

The meeting between Assemblyman Ahn and Chairman In drew attention as it took place immediately after the Innovation Committee declared the early end of its activities. It was reported that the meeting was arranged at Chairman In's prior request.

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference and answering questions at an office in Nam-gu, Daegu, on the afternoon of the 6th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After meeting with Chairman In, Assemblyman Ahn told reporters, "Looking back at the reason the Innovation Committee was formed, it was created to overcome the 'Seoul metropolitan area crisis theory' that I had been advocating since the beginning of the year, which the party leadership did not agree with until a major defeat in the by-election for the Gangseo District Mayor revealed its truth. If the party fails to innovate enough to dispel the metropolitan area crisis theory, the public will think the Innovation Committee was nothing more than a stalling tactic by the leadership."

He continued, "The party's innovation has failed. I proposed remedies, but the patient refused treatment," adding, "Now it is time for Representative Kim Ki-hyun and the leadership to respond to the sacrifice of the Innovation Committee by showing how they will regain public sentiment and secure victory in the general election."

Earlier that morning on SBS Radio, Assemblyman Ahn also targeted Representative Kim, saying, "Kim said he would give full authority to the Innovation Committee, but it was not full authority?it was 'no authority.' Wasn't it completely rejected?"

Regarding Kim's remarks about accepting the innovation plan and asking for "patience with a long breath," Ahn criticized, "If the breath is long, you suffocate. We suffered a huge defeat in the Gangseo District Mayor election. Therefore, the pace should be accelerated accordingly, and points that can be accepted should be accepted."

When asked whether Kim himself should not run in the general election or run in a difficult constituency in the metropolitan area, Assemblyman Ahn replied, "That depends on his own situation," but added, "Looking at all organizations, a leader who leads an organization only gains strength when he leads by example and makes sacrifices. If he pursues personal interests, he has no power at all."

The In Yo-han Innovation Committee was launched to bring change and reform to the ruling party following the defeat in the October by-election for the Seoul Gangseo District Mayor. Representative Kim publicly pledged to give full authority to the Innovation Committee. However, the party leadership only responded to the first of the six innovation proposals made by the committee (the cancellation of disciplinary actions against Hong Jun-pyo, Lee Jun-seok, and Kim Jae-won), and ultimately, the Innovation Committee decided on early dissolution.

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