Ahn Cheol-soo Targets 'Cho Kuk' in First Meeting with Outsiders: "Kim Kyung-yul Was Courageous"

"Will Strive for a Fair Society... Must Catch the 'Irrational Virus'"

Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is shaking hands with former People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy executive director Kim Kyung-yul at Dalgaebi in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo met with former Solidarity for Participation executive director Kim Kyung-yul, saying, "He was the first person I wanted to see upon returning to Korea," adding, "It is because of Kim's courageous actions during the 'Cho Kuk incident.'

On the afternoon of the 21st, former leader Ahn held a meeting with former executive director Kim for about an hour on the theme of 'fairness.' This was the first meeting with an outsider since Ahn's return.

When asked why he met Kim immediately after the meeting, former leader Ahn said, "While I was abroad, the Cho Kuk incident occurred, and I received about ten times more contacts than usual. Through that process, I learned about accountant Kim Kyung-yul's courageous actions," adding, "I wanted to see him first and have a conversation upon my return."

When asked, "What kind of conversation did you have?" he replied, "We had a deep conversation about what is lacking and what should be done for our society to become a fair country, and I lost track of time." He continued, "What we agreed on was about a country where honest and sincere people are recognized, and where there are no cheating or privileges," adding, "We decided to work hard in our respective fields and continue to keep in touch."

Regarding whether he would recruit former executive director Kim, former leader Ahn avoided a direct answer, saying, "We agreed to make efforts to contribute even a little to making our country a fair society." About future meetings, he said, "I plan to meet and listen to many people," adding, "I will meet two people tomorrow as well." Regarding a meeting schedule with leader Sohn Hak-kyu, he said, "I will diligently meet and also meet people inside and outside the party."

He also reiterated the 'virus theory.' When asked if he plans to continuously meet people from progressive and conservative camps who express different opinions, former leader Ahn said, "The irrational thinking that if someone is on my side, they are right, and if on the opposite side, they are wrong, makes our country difficult. I believe the future lies in eradicating this widely spread irrational virus."

Regarding the possibility of unification with the Liberty Korea Party, he said, "I think fierce innovation competition within the opposition camp will result in a much bigger pie when combined later." He added, "People have repeatedly voted for the Democratic Party to block the Liberty Korea Party, and then voted for the Liberty Korea Party to block the Democratic Party," emphasizing, "The reason I returned is not for politicians' own interests but to create a livelihood for the people."

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Ahn's side stated, "This meeting was an occasion to urge self-reflection among some civic groups that have lost their ability for self-purification due to 'protecting their own members' and to listen to and discuss the role of civic groups in the 21st century." Previously, during the Cho Kuk incident last year, former executive director Kim sharply criticized former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and his supporters, and Solidarity for Participation dismissed Kim from his position.