Ahn Cheol-soo Holds Dialogue with Kim Kyung-yul Criticizing Cho Kuk... Taking a Stand Against Moon Administration

An's Second Move After Returning to Korea
Emphasizing 'Fairness' to Differentiate from Established Political Circles
Regarding Meeting with Hwang Kyo-ahn, "No Interest"

Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is writing in the guestbook after paying respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo will hold a dialogue on the 21st with former Solidarity for Participation co-executive director Kim Kyung-yul, who sharply criticized former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and pro-government figures defending him. This move is interpreted as an attempt to differentiate himself from the established political circles by bringing up the value of 'fairness,' which became a social issue due to the Cho Kuk incident. This schedule is Ahn’s second official event since returning to Korea and the first installment of the 'Listening Series,' where he meets activists and experts from various fields.

On the afternoon of the same day, former leader Ahn will meet Kim at Dalgaebi in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, to exchange views on the role of civil society and the government for a fair society and happy citizens, as well as the role of 21st-century civic groups beyond progressives and conservatives.

Kim was a figure who harshly criticized former Minister Cho and his supporters during the Cho Kuk incident. In November last year, on Facebook, he sharply criticized, saying, "Since the Moon Jae-in government took office, for two and a half years, Cho, who was the control tower for clearing deep-rooted evils as the senior secretary for civil affairs, completely messed up." He also fiercely condemned the expert group supporting Cho with profanity, saying, "You hypocrites, it makes me sick." After these remarks caused controversy, Kim stepped down from his position as executive director of Solidarity for Participation.

From the first day of his return, former lawmaker Ahn targeted the Moon Jae-in government by mentioning the Cho Kuk incident. On the 19th, Ahn pointed out, "Korean society is feeling the disappearance of fairness more seriously than ever," adding, "Universities are decided based on who your parents are, and young people dreaming of becoming stars cannot overcome the threshold of unfairness despite fans’ love and passion." He continued, "I will take the lead in correcting the current government’s wrong policies and stopping the reckless state administration," and declared, "I will devote all my will and capabilities to creating a fair and safe society."

On the afternoon of the 20th, while traveling from Seoul to Gwangju, at Baekyangsa Rest Area, Ahn criticized the current political circles, saying, "They are only good at fake news and image manipulation and only interested in feeding their own side, like a power struggle of interest groups," and added, "Originally, viruses dislike vaccines."

Regarding prosecution reform, Ahn said, "I agree with the general direction," but criticized, "Reforming personnel by targeting prosecutors investigating the current administration is not prosecution reform. Who would be fooled if that is disguised as prosecution reform?"

Meanwhile, right after paying respects at his father-in-law’s grave in the municipal park cemetery in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, when asked by reporters if he planned to meet Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, Ahn replied, "I will only meet the people," and added, "I am not interested in those related to elections."