"I Will Devote Everything to Making a Country Where the People Are Happy"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo declared his resignation from the party on the 29th, saying, "I leave the Bareunmirae Party today with a heavy heart."
Former lawmaker Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly that morning and said, "After watching Representative Sohn Hak-kyu's press conference remarks, I have given up on the dream of rebuilding the Bareunmirae Party."
Ahn emphasized, "With worries and a sense of responsibility that 'South Korea cannot continue like this' and 'there is no future for South Korea if things go on this way,' I decided to resume my political career after long contemplation. There is no tomorrow for us under the inertia of established parties and the existing political order. We must change factional politics that only look out for their own side into pragmatic politics."
He added, "I intended to walk that path by reestablishing the Bareunmirae Party, but I have now concluded that it is impossible. I ask for the deep understanding of the people and party members. I will devote everything to creating a safe and fair society and a country where the people are happy through politics that works properly."
Earlier, Ahn proposed that Representative Sohn step down and that he himself take on the role of emergency committee chairman, but Sohn rejected the proposal. Sohn held a press conference the day before and pointed out, "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. They also tried to oust me while talking about party conventions, full party member votes, and confidence votes. There was no explanation as to why the leadership system needed to be reorganized or why he should take on the role of emergency committee chairman."
Sohn criticized, "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."
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