Son Hak-kyu "Like an Owner Firing a CEO"... Ahn Cheol-soo "I'm Not That Rude a Person" (Summary)

Son Rejects Proposal to Switch to Emergency Committee
Ahn: "It Is Right to Ask Party Members' Opinions"

Son Hak-kyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party, holds a press conference at the National Assembly on the 28th. At this event, Leader Son rejected the demand for former leader Ahn Cheol-soo's resignation. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party, rejected former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo's demand on the 28th to transition to an emergency committee system and to resign from his position as party leader.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Sohn said, "I never imagined a unilateral notice telling me to step down, calling many reporters and cameras, what the media calls a so-called 'final ultimatum.' It felt like the owner of a private company firing the CEO," he stated.

He pointed out, "Former lawmaker Ahn proposed the formation of an emergency committee and demanded a leadership change, mentioning a party-wide vote, party convention, and re-approval vote," adding, "Ahn's proposal was no different from what the former Yoo Seung-min faction or Ahn Cheol-soo faction lawmakers had said in the past."

He continued, "They also tried to oust me while talking about a party convention, party-wide vote, and re-approval vote," adding, "There was no explanation as to why the leadership system needed to be reorganized or why he should take the position of emergency committee chairman."

Sohn said, "I was quite taken aback internally," emphasizing, "Because what I expected from former lawmaker Ahn was to deeply discuss ways to worry about the party's future together and unite our efforts."

Sohn stated, "After losing the 1992 presidential election, former President Kim Dae-jung retired from politics and went to study at the University of Cambridge in the UK. Upon returning and re-entering politics in 1995, he supported Cho Soon, the Mayor of Seoul, as a white-clad soldier. Former President Kim was elected president through 'leadership of dedication,'" adding, "The way to save the Bareunmirae Party, which is currently in crisis, is to demonstrate leadership of dedication, which is also a virtue of political leaders applicable to former lawmaker Ahn."

Sohn said, "The Bareunmirae Party must start coalition politics. We should set an example," adding, "The party must unite, and the people must unite to move forward into the future without being swept away by fierce foreign forces and storms."

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, and is seen brushing back his hair during the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Former lawmaker Ahn, immediately after attending a forum held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that day, told reporters, "The emergency committee proposal is what Leader Sohn has publicly declared so far," adding, "The party's owners are the party members, and since the party is in its most critical situation since its founding, it is right to ask the party members' opinions at times like this."

Ahn said, "Because Leader Sohn has worked hard until now, there may be misunderstandings, but I am not such a rude person," adding, "I hope people understand that I always speak with courtesy."