Ahn Cheol-soo Faces Controversy for Incorrectly Writing 'Corona20' in the Memorial Hall Guestbook at Hyeonchungwon

On the morning of the 24th, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, visited the National Seoul National Cemetery, paid respects at the Memorial Tower, and wrote in the guestbook.

Ahn initially wrote "Corona 20" instead of "Corona 19" in the guestbook and then rewrote it.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 24th, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stirred controversy by mistakenly writing the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) as 'Corona 20' while leaving a guestbook at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.

On that day, after visiting the memorial cemetery in the morning and completing his tribute, Ahn wrote in the guestbook. During the process, he incorrectly wrote COVID-19 as Corona 20 and then rewrote it.

Ahn was elected as the party leader at the 'People’s Party e-Founding Convention' held on the 23rd in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

The People’s Party launched that day is a newly established party by Ahn after his return to Korea earlier this year, not the People’s Party that merged with the Bareun Party in February 2018.

At the founding convention, Ahn raised his voice, saying, "The seeds of reform will sprout on April 15. Let us firmly and resolutely bring about an Orange Revolution together to change politics and the Republic of Korea."

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Founding of the People’s Party, is delivering his acceptance speech as party leader at the '2020 People’s Party e-Founding Convention' held at SAC Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 23rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He then proposed a "relay public debate on national reform tasks and future vision among party leaders" to Lee Hae-chan of the Democratic Party and Hwang Kyo-ahn of the United Future Party.

Ahn emphasized, "In this general election, I believe the way for this country to survive is to have a fierce competition of policies and visions over whether to maintain political vested interests and become a country of populism or to take a bold path of reform."

The founding convention was attended by about 300 people, minimizing on-site attendance due to the worsening impact of COVID-19. The event was broadcast live online.

Earlier, when Ahn declared his return to politics and came back to Korea, he also visited the memorial cemetery.

On the 20th of last month, Ahn visited the memorial cemetery with young people, paying respects in order at the Memorial Tower, the Unknown Soldier Tower of the Student Volunteer Army, and the graves of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Kim Young-sam, Rhee Syngman, and Park Chung-hee. Afterwards, he moved to Gwangju to visit the National 5.18 Democratic Cemetery.