Ahn Cheol-soo: "Agree with Joo Ho-young on 'Party-to-Party Merger'... Further Discussions with New Floor Leader"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, hinted at a 'party-to-party' merger with the People Power Party.

On the 29th, after the People Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Ahn met with reporters and said, "There was a consensus on the broad framework of party-to-party integration regarding the method of unification," adding, "We similarly thought that this method is a good way to broaden the support base."

Ahn and Joo Ho-young, acting leader of the People Power Party, met around 8:30 p.m. the previous day and exchanged opinions on the merger for about an hour. Ahn said, "In the broad framework, we agreed on most of the necessary parts such as the line, party constitution and platform policies, and necessary committees," emphasizing, "Probably, when detailed discussions start at the working level, they can be discussed in detail there."

He continued, "In fact, the purpose of integration is important. To achieve a regime change in the next presidential election, it is important to broaden the opposition's support base," and explained, "I conveyed the idea that the best way to broaden the opposition's support base is party-to-party integration."

Further discussions are scheduled to continue with the newly elected floor leader of the People Power Party on the 30th. Regarding the possibility of a merger before the People Power Party's party convention, Ahn said, "During the process of discussions with the newly elected (People Power Party) floor leader, detailed schedules can also be decided."