Ahn Cheol-soo's Candidacy... Hong Joon-pyo 'Positive', Lee Jun-seok and Kim Jong-in 'Negative'
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. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Public attention is focused on whether Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, will run in the presidential election. However, opinions within the opposition camp are divided on this matter.
On the morning of the 17th, Hong Joon-pyo, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, announced the recruitment of former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung and mentioned a value alliance with Ahn. Hong said, "We are always open to uniting based on a value alliance," adding, "Even in the final election, we can form a value alliance with Ahn."
On the other hand, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, predicted that Ahn would not complete the presidential race.
Appearing on TBS Radio’s 'Shin Jang-sik’s Shin Jang Open' on the 13th, when asked about rumors that Ahn would run in October, he said, "Everyone expects he will," but added, "However, everyone also expects he will not run until the end." He also criticized, "(The People’s Party) feels like a proxy party, so I doubt it can have the same destructive power as in the last presidential election."
On the 16th, on CBS Radio’s 'One Round Match,' Lee targeted Ahn again, saying, "Because the desire for regime change is very strong, those who act independently are likely to be heavily criticized," and "There are moves for an independent run within the People’s Party, but I don’t think Ahn will have the same space in this election as he did in the post-impeachment election."
Former campaign committee chairman Kim Jong-in also expressed a negative view on Ahn’s presidential bid.
On the 15th, appearing on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show,' Kim said, "During the last Seoul mayoral by-election, Ahn said he would give up running for president to achieve regime change and run for Seoul mayor instead. If so, he should keep that promise," adding, "I don’t think he will run as a presidential candidate and cause division within the camp again."
Meanwhile, on December 20 last year, Ahn held a press conference announcing his Seoul mayoral candidacy, saying, "Winning the by-election is like crossing the 70% mark toward regime change," and "This is not an election for Ahn Cheol-soo to win, but for the entire opposition to win."
He also said, "I hope you understand the background of my decision to give up the presidential election and run for Seoul mayor," and "I will definitely win the election and establish a foothold for regime change through good governance."
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