Ahn Cheol-soo, Countdown to Presidential Run... Mentioning Pledges and Meeting the MZ Generation

"When the Presidential Election Planning Team's Conclusion Is Reached, It Will Be Referenced for Decision-Making"

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 14th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, appears to be entering the “final countdown” for his presidential bid.

On the 14th, after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Ahn told reporters, “The presidential campaign planning team is currently reviewing various matters, and once a conclusion is reached, I will refer to it and make a decision.” A People’s Party official explained, “Preparations for the presidential run seem almost complete,” adding, “The decision will be made considering various circumstances.”

Looking at Ahn’s recent activities, he is spending time as a presidential candidate. At the “Youth Dialogue Meeting for Restoring the Ladder of Opportunity” held the previous day, he mentioned his pledge to reinstate the judicial examination. Ahn emphasized, “Last year, I put forward the claim that the judicial exam should be reinstated as a campaign pledge,” and said, “No matter what role I play in the presidential election, I will do my best to see it through.”

He is also increasing engagement with the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z), which has emerged as a variable in the election. Following a recent roundtable with MZ generation journalists, he held a dialogue the previous day with the first MZ generation labor union in the public sector, the “Seoul Transportation Corporation Proper Union.” Through meetings with them, Ahn plans to personally attempt one of the MZ generation’s concerns, “finding a jeonse (long-term deposit lease) house in Seoul for 100 million won.” Ahn said, “I will try to implement this as soon as possible.”

Since September, he has continued “Ahn Cheol-soo Live,” focusing on communication. On weekday evenings at 8 p.m., he conducts about 20 minutes of real-time interaction, answering questions on future discourse and current issues.

His remarks toward ruling and opposition presidential candidates have also intensified. On the 12th, appearing on CBS Radio’s “One Round Match,” Ahn said, “There is a popular phrase going around, ‘Nom Nom Nom,’ meaning bad guy, strange guy, ugly guy,” and criticized, “People say there are only such candidates, and there is no one to vote for,” hinting at his own possible candidacy.

However, he drew a line regarding reports of his candidacy on the 17th. When asked about reports that he would run on the 17th, he said, “It seems there is a lot of desire for that,” but added, “I have no plans for that day.”

Meanwhile, the People’s Party officially launched its presidential campaign planning team on the 7th, beginning full-scale preparations for the election. The campaign planning team is headed by Secretary-General Choi Yeon-sook. On the 12th, Kim Mansu was appointed as chairman of the Public Office Election Candidate Recommendation Management Committee. The nomination management committee plans to hold its first meeting on the afternoon of the 15th.