Ahn Cheol-soo: "I Will Not Run for Seoul Mayor... Overconfidence in Opposition Victory Is a Big Mistake"

"Populists Rose Early in COVID... Not by the End of Next Year"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, attended an online invited lecture of the People Power Party’s first-term lawmakers’ group ‘Myeongbulheojeon Bosuda’ at a cafe in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 2nd, delivering a lecture on the topic of ‘Change and Innovation in the Opposition.’ Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, visited the single-person protest site in front of the Blue House organized by the People Power Party on the 2nd and emphasized the need for opposition coalition at a meeting of first-term lawmakers. Ahn reiterated his intention to “go straight to the presidential election” while drawing a line on running for the Seoul mayoral by-election next year. People Power Party lawmakers expressed their gratitude to Ahn for “coming to the single-person protest site,” and Ahn said, “It is a heartbreaking feeling that those who should be in the National Assembly are there.”

At the 'Myeongbulheojeon Conservative' study meeting of first-term People Power Party lawmakers that morning, Ahn said, “I have no intention of running for Seoul mayor. Once the Seoul mayoral candidate is decided, I plan to fully support them,” adding, “The goal of the Seoul mayoral election and the presidential election is to save our country through regime change.”

Ahn stated, “The spirit of the times is a fair society, national unity, and a competent government,” and added, “While populists gained ground in the early stages of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), by the end of next year, politicians who can actually solve problems will be recognized and desired by the people rather than populists.”

Regarding the Seoul mayoral by-election next year, Ahn said, “There is already about a 20% difference in support rates between the ruling and opposition parties, it will be an untact and organizational election, and the government and ruling party have many means at their disposal,” and diagnosed, “It would be a big mistake to optimistically think that the opposition will win just because many people are disappointed with the current government and ruling party without being tense.”

Ahn expressed a somewhat negative view on first-time politicians running for the Seoul mayoral by-election. He explained, “It will inevitably be an untact election, and it is impossible for a newcomer to raise their recognition,” adding, “While fresh newcomers can influence some elections, I don’t think this is one of them. If someone known and accomplished in other fields starts politics, they can rise quickly, but except for such cases, it will be a difficult election.”