Opposition Unity Momentum 'Rapidly Building'
Oh Se-hoon Proposes 5-Dragon Roundtable Meeting
Won Hee-ryong Presents Conservative + Moderate Model
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As opposition presidential candidates each advocate for ‘conservative-moderate integration,’ the atmosphere for a merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party is rapidly gaining momentum. With the People Power Party’s continuous love calls, the value of Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is rising. Leader Ahn is also increasing points of contact with the People Power Party.
A source from the People’s Party said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 23rd, “The People Power Party’s approval ratings keep stagnating, and the opposition remains sluggish, so it seems that there is an expectation for Leader Ahn’s role as an alternative,” adding, “Whether the (political) weight is large or small, if there is a request for any occasion curious about opposition innovation measures, he can go anytime.”
Recently, Leader Ahn attended a luncheon meeting with current and former metropolitan area party committee chairpersons of the People Power Party. At this meeting, Leader Ahn reportedly emphasized the necessity of regime change and expressed his intention for opposition integration. Additionally, Leader Ahn will give lectures on the 6th and 12th of next month at the 'National Future Forum,' a joint research group of People Power Party and People’s Party lawmakers, and at the 'Towards a Better World' (Mapo Forum) led by former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Moo-sung. On the 23rd of last month, he also took the podium at the 'Future Innovation Forum' led by People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, speaking on opposition innovation.
Presidential candidates from the People Power Party unanimously emphasize conservative-moderate integration. Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said at the Mapo Forum on the 22nd, “The next election will be a battle over who secures more support from moderate voters,” stressing, “You all know better about Oh Se-hoon’s brand image.”
Former Mayor Oh proposed forming a roundtable including himself, Leader Ahn, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, and former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo. He said, “Who becomes president is the next issue,” adding, “Even if we compete fiercely later, we must first join forces.”
Governor Won also presented the 'One Plus One' Won Hee-ryong model on the 15th as an opposition ruling strategy that unites moderates and conservatives. Governor Won stated, “As long as the Won Hee-ryong model can be realized, Leader Ahn and former Leader Hong are both good,” adding, “The Won Hee-ryong model is something Won Hee-ryong himself knows best.”
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