Lee Jun-seok and Ahn Cheol-soo, Is the Key to Merger Hidden in 'Collaboration on the Druking Comment Scandal'?

Ahn Cheol-soo "Lee Jun-seok, Please Join Solo Protest in Front of Cheongwadae"
Lee Jun-seok "This Week Is the Deadline for Merger"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As discussions on the merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party face difficulties amid a power struggle between the two sides, attention is focused on whether the opposition coalition over the ‘Druking comment manipulation case’ can become a breakthrough.

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is holding a solo relay protest in front of the Blue House fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd, urging investigation into the mastermind behind Druking and a truthful confession from the president. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On the 2nd, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, held a one-person protest in front of the fountain at the Blue House, calling for an investigation into the ‘Druking mastermind’s backing and the president’s truthful confession.’ At the event, Ahn said, "The entire opposition must participate in this movement," and added, "I request that the leader of the main opposition party also come here in person and join the one-person protest."

After the one-person protest, Ahn met with reporters and said, "Although the two issues (the investigation into the Druking comment manipulation case and the merger) seem separate, they are one issue," and "It is fulfilling the hopes of opposition supporters who wish for a regime change that not only the People’s Party as the second opposition party but also the main opposition party actively participate."

However, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, previously stated regarding this matter that "the demand for an extension of the special prosecutor is logically contradictory." In a recent interview with a media outlet, he said, "In this election, the people want to focus on livelihood issues," and added, "No matter how serious the Druking case is, from the moment you start cutting your hair (as a form of protest), there is no policy. That is a very dangerous situation."

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Lee and Ahn’s sides are engaged in sharp blame over the merger talks hitting a crisis. At the highest council meeting that day, Lee said, "The merger issue is both a turning point and a deadline this week," and requested, "I ask the People’s Party for a swift resolution on the merger."