Ahn Cheol-soo Responds to Kim Jong-in's "Arrogant" Criticism, Asking "Is There Anyone Denying Opposition Unity?"

Despite Kim Jong-in's Sharp Criticism
Emphasis on 'Opposition Grand Unity, Regime Change' at the Supreme Council

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said on the 12th that he is well aware of the efforts made by Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, who called him "arrogant."

After the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th, Ahn responded to Kim’s remarks by saying, "Who would deny the innovation and grand unity of the opposition and regime change?"

Kim Jong-in, in a media interview reported on the 11th, criticized Ahn’s statement on the 8th congratulating Oh Se-hoon on his election as Seoul mayor and calling it a "victory of the opposition," saying, "How can he say such an arrogant thing? Does he think he brought this victory?" He emphasized, "Victory of the opposition? It was the People Power Party that won."

He also said, "There is no opposition right now," adding, "Some people are shouting for the opposition to satisfy their own desires." He strongly criticized, saying, "There is no substance, so what kind of opposition is this? The People Power Party should stop looking outside and focus on internal discipline to become a self-sustaining party."

However, on the same day, Ahn emphasized the necessity of opposition unity and regime change during the Supreme Council meeting. This contrasts with Kim’s view that the victory in this election was solely achieved by the People Power Party.

At the Supreme Council meeting, Ahn said, "The people have united their strength behind the opposition in this by-election, but there is no guarantee that this wave of judgment will continue," and pointed out, "After giving overwhelming support to the opposition, the people will apply the same standards to the opposition that they applied to the ruling party before the election."

He added, "The opposition must fill its vision and content in line with the principles of grand unity and regime change," and said, "A proper opposition should do its best to prevent the failure of the Moon Jae-in administration from leading to the failure of the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "The path to innovative grand unity and regime change is not difficult," and identified it as "the opposition acting responsibly like the ruling party and behaving like a true opposition."

He said, "Regarding the future of the Republic of Korea and people’s livelihoods, the opposition must show a better vision and stronger responsibility than the ruling party and whip itself in terms of the intensity of change and innovation," and stated, "The people will give the opposition greater trust and support than what was shown in this by-election."

Finally, he emphasized, "I will listen carefully to more party members, supporters, and the people’s voices and run toward the path of grand unity and regime change."