Lee Taegyu: "Ahn Cheolsoo will consider 'returning to Bareunmiraedang' if Sohn Hakgyu steps down"

On Conservative Unification, "Ahn, Not a Matter of Interest"
Regarding Integration with Alternative New Party, "Regionalism Must Be Overcome"
"Founding a New Party Won't Be a Major Difficulty"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 17th, Lee Tae-gyu, a member of the Bareunmirae Party, commented on the future course of former Bareunmirae Party member Ahn Cheol-soo, stating, "If Son Hak-kyu, the leader of the Bareunmirae Party, sincerely follows through on his statement that he will step down without hesitation if former member Ahn returns, then former member Ahn will seriously consider rejoining the party."

On the same day, on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs,' Lee said, "I hope Leader Son shows sincerity regarding what he said."

He added, "If it was merely a political investigation, I believe it would be very difficult for former member Ahn to return to the party. In fact, I understand it as if they are effectively blocking him from coming back to the party."

Regarding the possibility of participating in conservative unification, Lee said, "I cannot say for sure, but it is not a matter of interest for former member Ahn," emphasizing, "Because former member Ahn is a politician who wants to be free from ideology and factions."

He also spoke about the unification with the Alternative New Party and the Democratic United Party, saying, "Those in the Alternative New Party left because they opposed the process of forming the Bareunmirae Party," and added, "From former member Ahn's perspective, ideology and factions are issues, but I think regionalism politics is a political innovation task that must be overcome."

Regarding the founding of a new party, Lee said, "Although time is tight, if an unavoidable choice must be made, there will be no major difficulties in forming a party."