Ahn Cheol-soo: "Comprehensive Generational Change and Reform... Will Be the Seed of Bold Transformation"

"When Putting New Wine into New Bottles... Transition to a Pragmatic Politics Paradigm"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo stated on the 9th, "Political leadership must be replaced, the old political paradigm must be transformed, and the political reform task of generational change in the political sphere must be achieved."

Former lawmaker Ahn delivered this message through a video sent to the debate titled "Is Korean Politics Okay as It Is?" hosted by Bareunmirae Party Ahn Cheol-soo faction lawmakers at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the same day, saying, "The goal of political reform is precisely the process of seeking an answer to whether the Republic of Korea is moving toward the future."

He emphasized, "We must change from past-oriented, divisive leadership to future-oriented, integrative leadership," adding, "Also, since democratization in 1987, the political paradigm of ideology and camps combined with regionalism that has dominated our politics must now be shifted to a pragmatic political paradigm. Therefore, we must move toward a major trend of rational reform."

He continued, "The time has come to put new wine into new wineskins through comprehensive generational change and reform," and added, "I will also become a seed for such bold change."

Former lawmaker Ahn said, "Political reform is a very good but not an easy topic. However, it is a task that must never be avoided," and stated, "Politics must work properly and solve problems for the economy to function and for people's livelihoods to revive."

He diagnosed, "The Republic of Korea is currently facing serious difficulties. Although partly due to the international environment, the fundamental cause lies within us, precisely in politics," and added, "From the perspective of foreign countries, Korea is difficult to understand and confusing. The standards of justice and fairness have collapsed."

Former lawmaker Ahn pointed out, "Growth engines are declining, the livelihood economy is at its worst, and politics is polarized, society is polarized, and the economy is polarized, that is, a tripartite polarization system of politics, economy, and society is solidifying," and said, "Yet, we cannot hear any future vision or future discourse. It is truly worrisome."

He criticized, "At the center of the problem is the old politics that divides and splits the people to maintain their own political power," and said, "There is old politics that is only good at image manipulation and only interested in feeding their own side rather than the people."