An-Geum Opens Door to 'Third Zone Unification'...Minor Parties Say "We Will Follow Our Own Path"

An-Geum Proposes Debate to Build Third Zone
Minor Parties Intensify Efforts to Form New Camp with Diverse Agendas
Basic Income Party Criticizes "Anti-Moon Unification Is Not a Third Zone"

[Asia Economy Reporters Jeon Jinyoung and Park Juni] As Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, both candidates in the Seoul mayoral by-election, have launched unification efforts under the slogan of the ‘third zone,’ minor party candidates such as the Basic Income Party and Transition Korea appear to be focusing on building a new camp that differentiates itself from this.

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending and giving a lecture at the People Power Party's freshman lawmakers' meeting 'Myeongbyulheojeon' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 18th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Leader Ahn and former lawmaker Geum are fervently working to establish the ‘Ahn-Geum third zone.’ On the morning of the 4th, Geum appeared on YTN Radio’s “Hwang Bo-seon’s Starting New Morning” and said, “Before the Lunar New Year, when voters’ attention is focused, I want to have intense debates with the candidates to offer citizens a new choice.” He added, “I plan to suggest having extensive and in-depth debates such as final debates and overnight debates with Leader Ahn.”

However, other minor parties are envisioning a different future regarding the ‘third zone.’ Assemblyman Cho Jeong-hoon of Transition Korea is distancing himself from the ‘Ahn-Geum third zone’ and expanding contacts with other minor parties. On the previous day (the 3rd), Cho dismissed the unification plan of Leader Ahn and former lawmaker Geum on Facebook, saying, “I have no intention of joining such discussions.”

In a phone interview with Asia Economy that day, he explained the reason for drawing a line, saying, “This Seoul mayoral election should be a contest based on policies and visions, not about who criticizes the Moon Jae-in administration better.” He criticized, “If we go with the Moon administration judgment theory, how can we compete with policies?” He also sharply addressed Leader Ahn, saying, “If what Leader Ahn talks about is the ‘A League,’ I hope he acts like the ‘A League.’ Isn’t it inappropriate to send messages while watching the People Power Party’s reactions?”

Assemblyman Jo Jeonghun of the Shift Era./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Basic Income Party also put effort into seeking a new zone rather than the ‘Ahn-Geum third zone.’ On the morning of the same day, Shin Ji-hye, co-leader of the Basic Income Party, held a press conference to oppose the unification plan of former lawmaker Geum and Leader Ahn and proposed an ‘independent progressive third zone.’ At the press conference, Shin said, “The ‘anti-Moon unification’ of candidates Ahn Cheol-soo and Geum Tae-seop is not a third zone,” and pointed out, “With the ruling party unification and opposition unification, a solid two-party system, neither Seoul nor Korean politics can change.” She continued, “I propose the formation of an independent, progressive, and future-oriented ‘third zone’ that will change the lives of Seoul citizens.”

The Basic Income Party is continuing contacts with other minor party candidates such as the Women’s Party and the Progressive Party. In a phone interview that day, Shin said, “A meeting with the Women’s Party candidate has been decided,” and “I plan to meet and talk with several candidates, including a meeting with Song Myeong-sook, the Progressive Party candidate, on the 4th.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Behind the scenes, contacts are also underway between the Basic Income Party and Transition Korea. On the previous day, Basic Income Party lawmaker Yong Hye-in and Assemblyman Cho met at the National Assembly plenary session hall to discuss ways to build a third zone for the Seoul mayoral primary. However, Yong clearly stated that he would not participate in the third zone of Leader Ahn and former lawmaker Geum in building a new camp. In a phone interview, he said, “The unification of Leader Ahn and former lawmaker Geum is essentially a process that takes place after the ‘one-shot’ unification with the People Power Party has failed,” and drew a line by saying, “It is difficult to call that a third zone.”

Accordingly, the future ‘third zone unification’ promoted by Leader Ahn and former lawmaker Geum is expected to focus on how much the third zone’s doors will be opened and when the unification timing will be. Former lawmaker Geum is scheduled to meet Leader Ahn at 5 p.m. on the 4th at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building cafeteria to discuss specific primary methods and debate schedules. On the broadcast that day, Geum said, “We plan to meet at the National Assembly at five today,” and added, “Leader Ahn accepted the public proposal, and regarding this, we will discuss details and brainstorm ways to realize the purpose of unification.”