Ahn Cheol-soo Holds Back on 'New Party Formation'... Party Leadership Faction Says "Don't Become the Second Yoo Seung-min Party"

Ahn Cheol-soo "No Conclusion Has Been Reached"
Joo Seung-yong "There Should Be No Reckless Outcome"

Ahn Cheol-soo, former leader of the Bareunmirae Party, attended a luncheon meeting with Bareunmirae Party lawmakers at a restaurant in Seo-Yeouido on the 28th, running his hand through his hair during the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, former member of the Bareunmirae Party, stated on the 28th regarding the party's direction, "Each person’s thoughts differ slightly," and added, "No conclusion has been reached yet."

After having a lunch meeting with Bareunmirae Party members at a Chinese restaurant in Yeouido on the same day, Ahn told reporters, "I told (Representative Sohn Hak-kyu) that if he gives an answer after today's lunch meeting with the members, I would discuss it with them, but I have not received a response yet." He refrained from commenting on the possibility of founding a new party.

The previous afternoon, Ahn had a private conversation with Representative Sohn at the National Assembly for about 40 minutes. During the meeting, Ahn proposed three things: ▲transition to a provisional leadership committee ▲holding an early party convention to elect new leadership ▲conducting a vote of confidence for Representative Sohn. Regarding the transition to a provisional leadership committee, he suggested either taking the position of committee chairman himself or letting party members decide through a full party vote.

Ahn Cheol-soo, former leader of the Bareunmirae Party, is having a luncheon meeting with Bareunmirae Party lawmakers at a restaurant in Seo-Yeouido on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Representative Joo Seung-yong said, "It would not be good if a second Yoo Seung-min Party is created," and added, "(If the party splits) issues like proportional representation or incidents similar to those with the Party for Democracy and Peace could occur during the process. I hope such reckless outcomes do not happen."

Representative Joo also stated, "Everyone acknowledges that elections cannot be held under Representative Sohn’s leadership," and added, "I have met with Representative Sohn and Representative Ahn, and although time is limited, we must prevent the situation from escalating to an extreme."