Return to Korea after 1 year and 4 months
Continuous love calls from Korea and Saebosu... Chairman Park Hyung-jun says "Let's go together"
Ahn draws a line on conservative unification talks
Barunmirae reacts sensitively... Possibility of a 'third zone new party'
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The political sphere is sending 'same bed, different dreams' style love calls to former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who is returning to Korea on the 19th. Although each party has different interests, they seem to be focusing solely on Ahn's 'voice' as he returns to unite three factions favorable for the general election. Ahn, who left the country after losing the June 13, 2018 Seoul mayoral election, is returning to Korea after one year and four months abroad. With the 21st general election just over 90 days away, the political world is keenly watching Ahn's political moves.
Regarding Ahn's future position, three possibilities are being discussed: joining conservative unification, returning to the Bareunmirae Party, or founding a new party. First, the conservative camp, including the Liberty Korea Party and the New Conservative Party, has been sending continuous love calls to Ahn, judging that he has appeal to centrist and independent voters. Park Hyung-joon, chairman of the Innovation and Integration Promotion Committee (IIPC), said on CBS Radio on the 17th, "The content of Ahn's opinion piece is exactly what we are pursuing," adding, "I hope he joins us." Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, also said, "I would be grateful if Ahn came and played a role in the grand unification of the free right." However, Ahn has clearly drawn a line against conservative unification. On the 14th, through his former secretary Kim Do-sik, Ahn informed the IIPC that he has "no intention to participate in politically engineered unification discussions."
Ultimately, the prospect that Ahn will build a third political force is strong. His remaining options are to stay with the Bareunmirae Party or to form a new party to create a third force. The Bareunmirae Party, Ahn's home party, is showing the most sensitive reaction amid the leadership issue of Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu. Party faction lawmakers who hope for Ahn's return have postponed the election of the next floor leader and are taking a wait-and-see approach. A faction lawmaker told Asia Economy on the 17th, "Internally, a leadership change (of Chairman Sohn) through persuasion is necessary," adding, "We need to see Ahn's position and meet soon to finally set the coordinates." Chairman Sohn said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "I hope that as soon as Ahn returns, we can openly discuss the unification of centrist reform forces and the Bareunmirae Party's victory in the general election."
Ahn Cheol-soo faction lawmakers are also supporting the third force. Acting floor leader Lee Dong-seop mentioned on the 16th to reporters the founding of a new party involving all centrist reform forces except the extremes, saying, "We must put down all vested interests and creatively meet in the third force to work together." Lawmaker Lee Tae-gyu also said on CBS Radio that day, "Ahn does not consider himself conservative," adding, "He believes that the old political paradigm, tainted by ideology and factions, should be changed to a pragmatic political paradigm to establish a major flow of rational reform."
Ahn, who sparked a new political wave when he first entered politics, has once again raised political reform issues such as changing the old political paradigm and generational change. In a letter to readers included in his book 'Ahn Cheol-soo, Our Thoughts Create the Future,' to be published next week, Ahn said, "The direction and hope I speak of for Korea is a society where honesty and cleanliness are recognized, where people who do not lie and follow rules live well and with dignity," adding, "Politics must create a structure where basic promises, honesty, fairness, and principles are upheld."
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