Ahn Cheol-soo: "I Have Never Imagined a Three-Way Race... The Opposition Eagerly Hopes for a Regime Change"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party. Photo by JTBC 'Newsroom' screen capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 27th regarding the unification of opposition candidates for the Seoul mayoral by-election, "I have hardly ever imagined a three-way race," adding, "If all parties are earnest and desperate, it will definitely come to fruition."

On the same day, Ahn appeared on JTBC's 'Newsroom' and said, "The main opposition party has never won in Seoul in the past 10 years. Everyone knows it is a very difficult election, and from the main opposition party’s perspective, it is a desperate situation. We must win the Seoul mayoral election properly this time for the next regime change to be possible, so I am also very earnest about this."

Regarding the possibility of joining the People Power Party if elected as mayor of Seoul, he said, "If elected, my role is to manage Seoul’s administration innovatively and make people feel, 'When the opposition takes responsibility, things are this different.' I think this could greatly contribute to regime change."

He continued, "In that process, the hearts of opposition supporters will likely unite in one direction," adding, "Then, it is the role of a party member to carry out actions in the direction where those hearts have gathered."

He also said, "If I am elected and the presidential election is imminent, how we should proceed for regime change will be a matter to decide at that time."

Furthermore, regarding Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, who said that Ahn was 'eager for unification,' Ahn responded, "Many opposition voters who wish for regime change must be eager," and asked, "Is there anyone in the opposition who is not eager?"

Finally, Ahn said, "If you are a politician, even if your presidential candidate approval rating is less than 1%, if you think you have a chance, you challenge. For me, giving that up was truly a difficult decision."