[Summary] People Power Party Divided Over Ahn Cheol-soo... "Opposition is Only People Power Party" vs "High Chance of Last-Minute Merger"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the policy forum titled "COVID-19 Experience and Overcoming," hosted by the offices of Assembly members Choi Yeon-sook and Seo Jeong-sook, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader, have been expressing conflicting views regarding Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party. Chairman Kim dismissed rumors of an alliance with Ahn on the 4th, while Floor Leader Joo mentioned Ahn in the context of active discussions to field a unified candidate for the opposition bloc.

When asked by reporters at the National Assembly about the opposition bloc alliance, Chairman Kim said, "Is there anything else besides our People Power Party in the opposition?" expressing a negative stance on the opposition alliance. He did not respond to reporters' remarks, "Isn't there also the People Party?"

Regarding the opinion to nominate a so-called 'citizen candidate' as the opposition's Seoul mayoral candidate, he said, "We are currently in the process of finalizing the primary rules, so I cannot give a conclusion," but added, "We will establish rules that most reflect the will of the citizens."

When asked if Ahn and former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who recently left the Democratic Party, were being considered as citizen candidates, he replied, "It depends on how the rules are set and what thoughts those individuals have," adding, "This is not something we can decide unilaterally."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party (right), and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, greet each other at the policy discussion forum "Experience and Overcoming of COVID-19" hosted by the offices of lawmakers Choi Yeon-sook and Seo Jeong-sook on the 4th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. [Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

On the other hand, Floor Leader Joo predicted regarding next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, "If it goes to the last moment, the possibility of joining forces with (Ahn and former lawmaker Geum) is very high."

On the same day, Floor Leader Joo appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "Both Ahn and former lawmaker Geum hold the view that 'this administration is doing wrong' and 'the Democratic Party is doing wrong.'"

He said, "Isn't the most important thing in an election the structure? People who share the same will become a unified candidate and combine their strength, so the party that unites or fields a single candidate tends to win more often."

Regarding Ahn's negative stance on running for Seoul mayor, he predicted, "If there is talk from Ahn's side about interest in the Seoul mayoral race and it does not materialize, there will be political damage. I believe he will move if there is a high possibility of becoming the anti-Democratic Party unified candidate."

Earlier, Ahn repeatedly stated in media interviews that he has no intention of running for Seoul mayor. After delivering a congratulatory speech at the 55th National Women's Conference held at the Kukmin Ilbo building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 22nd of last month, he told reporters regarding the recently resurfaced Seoul mayoral candidacy rumors, "I have said I have no intention of running for Seoul mayor," dismissing the speculation.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.