Ahn Cheol-soo Expresses 'Reluctance' to Open Platform Proposal
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 20th, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed his intention to first select the candidate from the People Party and then pursue unification with Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People Party, regarding the unification of opposition candidates for the Seoul mayoral election. He reaffirmed his willingness to unify, stating that Ahn's claim that "the People Power Party is fighting with Leader Ahn" is not true.
On the 10th, after attending the event titled "The Lost 10 Years of Park Won-soon's Administration, a Promise for a Leap Forward," Floor Leader Joo met with reporters and expressed his position on the issue of unifying opposition candidates.
He said, "Why would our party fight with Leader Ahn?" and added, "In the process of unifying opposition candidates, each party and each preliminary candidate may have their own positions, but this should be seen as a process of adjustment." He continued, "Everyone agrees on the grand principle of opposition unification, so there is no reason to fight with Leader Ahn," dispelling rumors of conflict.
However, he expressed reluctance toward Ahn's proposal to allow participation in the People Power Party's primary election even without holding party membership.
Floor Leader Joo said, "According to the party's rules and regulations, it is not allowed, and I understand there are also difficulties under election laws." He then drew a clear line, saying, "Our party will select our own candidate and unify with the People Party candidate."
When asked by reporters whether he thinks Ahn should join the People Power Party, he replied, "He himself does not intend to join," and added, "I will not comment on such matters."
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