[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 27th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, requested Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, to engage in a decisive negotiation regarding the merger.
Through social media (SNS) on the same day, Lee said, "If you want to merge, negotiations should proceed with the direction of willingness, but if you don't want to, all sorts of stories come out," and pointed out, "The merger discussions that started with the statement of no share demands during the Seoul mayoral by-election and the declaration of not running in the presidential election have continued to accumulate items over several months."
He listed the agenda items related to the merger between the People Power Party and the People Party, stating, "As things keep coming up during negotiations, it becomes difficult to say we should meet frequently." Lee mentioned demands such as "changing the party name, joint appointment of 29 district party chairpersons, appointment of provincial party chairpersons, changes to the presidential election selection party rules (I don't even know for whom), succession of party finances (debt), succession of secretariat party staff, and agreement to a comprehensive anti-discrimination law."
Lee said, "Now is the time for Ahn Cheol-soo, who had been leading the negotiation working group through Assemblywoman Kwon Eun-hee, to step down and come directly to the negotiation table and make a magnanimous agreement as a true leader," adding, "Although Ahn Cheol-soo is currently unable to run in the presidential election due to the People Party's party rules, I hope he participates in the presidential election under new party rules and a new framework through the merger."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
