Ahn Cheol-soo: "Nakjun Coalition 'Wrong Encounter'... Doubts on Han Dong-hoon and Won Hee-ryong's Centrist Expansion"

"Jang Je-won's Withdrawal Alone Insufficient to Turn Public Sentiment"
"In Yo-han as Joint Emergency Committee Chairman Increases Chances of Victory"

Jang Je-won, a three-term key figure of the pro-Yoon (Chin-Yoon) faction in the People Power Party, officially announced on the 12th that he will not run in next year's general election. In response, Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker, evaluated that "this alone is insufficient to turn public sentiment." Regarding the speculation about an alliance between former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, known as the 'Nak-Jun alliance,' he predicted that "the possibility of working together is low."

On the 13th, Ahn said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Since he has made a difficult decision, I think it is only right to respect it. But the problem is whether this alone can turn the cold public sentiment. I believe it is insufficient," he said.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The day before, Representative Jang declared his non-candidacy for the general election, saying, "I am once again taking the path of serving without seeking office." Regarding the timing of his decision, he said, "I have been thinking about it since I was the secretary-general of the presidential transition committee."

However, Ahn believes that this alone is insufficient to turn public sentiment. He said, "First of all, I mentioned personal reform, a major shift in government policy direction, and a healthy party-government relationship. These things need to happen consecutively to be able to turn the cold public sentiment."

Following the cancellation of schedules by People Power Party leader Kim Gi-hyeon the day before and his entry into 'deep contemplation mode,' rumors of resignation have surfaced. In response, Ahn said, "I think he will come out with one of two options," adding, "Either he will present a truly innovative plan that can win the general election or the card of resigning from the leadership position. It will probably be one of the two."

If the 'Kim Gi-hyeon leadership' ends, a transition to an emergency committee is inevitable. Already, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Won Hee-ryong are being considered as candidates for the emergency committee chairperson. Regarding this, Ahn said, "Both of them have really worked hard and done their jobs faithfully as ministers. However, there are some doubts about their ability to expand the support base," adding, "If it goes to an emergency committee, while these people are certainly necessary, we also need people who can expand to the center, such as former Innovation Committee Chair In Yo-han, who can certainly play such a role."

He also proposed a plan for former Chair In and ruling party figures to jointly lead the emergency committee. He said, "It would be better to do it jointly," adding, "By broadening the spectrum to include not only conservatives but also centrists and reasonable progressives, the party's chances of winning this general election would be much higher."

Regarding the so-called 'Nak-Jun alliance,' he viewed its success as unlikely. He said, "I know both of them well. However, their values differ greatly, so even if they meet, the possibility of working together is low," adding, "I am afraid something like Kim Gun-mo's ill-fated meeting, similar to a problematic song lyric, might happen."

He also viewed the possibility of Lee Jun-seok founding a new party as low. He said, "Considering his recent remarks, I wonder if he will really leave the party on the 27th. Rather, I think he has no intention of leaving and is hoping someone will hold him back," adding, "The possibility of founding a new party is low, and even if he does, the chances of success are not very high."

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