"Direction is Important" on Third Zone Integration
Apologizing to People’s Party Supporters: "It's Late but Sorry"
Not Running in General Election, Practical Centrist Party... Distancing from Conservative Integration
Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo visited the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 20th to pay respects and is writing in the guestbook. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo visited the Seoul National Cemetery and the Gwangju 5·18 Memorial Cemetery as his first official schedule after returning to Korea. Since Ahn officially announced the ‘third way,’ this move is interpreted as an effort to revisit Honam, his support base. Honam was the epicenter of the Ahn Cheol-soo wave and the foundation of the People's Party surge during the 20th general election.
On the morning of the 20th, Ahn met with reporters at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, regarding the integration of the third zone, saying, “There are many questions about election alliances and splits, but isn’t direction more important? For a country, direction is far more important than speed.” He added, “Our country is in a difficult situation because it has not set the right direction. Seeking agreement on that direction is the priority.” He emphasized, “It is time to move forward again with three goals: happy citizens, a fair and safe society, and politics that works properly.”
Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is bowing deeply to his supporters upon returning through Incheon International Airport on the 19th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@
Ahn’s reflection on the failure of the Bareunmirae Party at a press conference the day before is also closely related to his determination to establish the third zone. Ahn said, “I created the Bareunmirae Party with the belief that harmony between Yeongnam and Honam and national unity are necessary for Korea’s future, but during the merger process, I did not fully understand the feelings of those who supported the People’s Party. They must have been very disappointed. It is late, but I apologize,” and added, “I am also responsible for the difficult situation the Bareunmirae Party is in.”
Ahn announced that he would not run in next year’s general election and launched a practical centrist party. He expressed his intention to revive the third zone wave that would replace the Democratic Party of Korea and the Liberty Korea Party. Ahn said, “I will create a party that realizes practical centrist politics, moving away from factional politics,” and explained, “Practicality means rejecting obsession with idealistic ideas and focusing on actually solving problems and changing the world.”
However, it is still uncertain whether Ahn will remodel the Bareunmirae Party or establish a new party. In political circles, there is growing speculation that since time is tight before the general election, Ahn will return to the Bareunmirae Party and pursue innovation at the level of reestablishment. Regarding this, Ahn said, “I plan to meet and consult with many people. I will find the best way,” and added, “Ultimately, my goal is to fill the National Assembly with practical, centrist, and problem-solving people.”
Ahn clearly drew a line regarding the possibility of conservative unification. He said about the Innovation Integration Promotion Committee, which is pushing for centrist-conservative integration, “I am not interested,” and added, “The opposition also needs innovative change. Going into a 1:1 confrontation through factional battles is actually what the government and ruling party want.”
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