Yoon Seok-yeol Meets Ahn Cheol-soo at a Chinese Restaurant in Jongno-gu
Likely to Discuss Key Issues Such as Party Joining and Mergers
[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-i] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who is weighing whether to join the People Power Party while pursuing an independent policy path, has now met with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party in the third zone. Attention is focused on whether Yoon is exploring a way to join forces with Ahn instead of the People Power Party, or simply employing a strategy to enhance his own ‘bargaining power.’ From Ahn’s perspective, who is pushing for a merger with the People Power Party, narrowing the distance with Yoon may also be seen as advantageous in terms of negotiation leverage.
On the afternoon of the 7th, Ahn and Yoon met at a Chinese restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Both sides explicitly stated that “there was no pre-set agenda.” A source close to Yoon said, “He is a senior in political experience and they share similar views, so there is likely to be a consensus.” Prior to this meeting, Yoon had consecutively met with Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, and Kwon Young-se, Chairman of the People Power Party’s External Cooperation Committee. In these meetings, Yoon has proposed the ‘Big Plate’ theory, which envisions forming a larger opposition bloc. This means expanding beyond the existing conservative framework to include centrists and rational progressives.
Yoon’s strategy in selecting meeting partners aligns with his plan to maintain relations with the People Power Party while broadening his political base. Regarding this, People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong analyzed on a radio show, “(Yoon) is anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in) but wants to expand his base by meeting people who do not like the People Power Party.” In political circles, Yoon’s series of meetings is interpreted as an attempt to establish himself as the ‘main player’ in opposition unification.
Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
For Ahn as well, meeting with Yoon may be a way to seek a favorable position regarding the merger with the People Power Party. In a situation where merger talks have stalled, it could serve as a kind of breakthrough. Simply suggesting the possibility of an alliance allows both Yoon and the People’s Party to increase their bargaining power with the People Power Party. A key official from the People’s Party said, “Yoon must have heard about the Cheol-seok (Ahn Cheol-soo + Yoon Seok-yeol) alliance. Whether they form an alliance framework outside the party, proceed with the merger and party entry separately, and then discuss it in a new party?there are differences in method?but the two complement each other.”
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