Ahn Cheol-soo: "No Possibility of Unification... If People Power Party Agrees to Unification, Then"

Ahn Cheol-soo, People's Party Presidential Candidate, YTN Radio Interview on 25th
Draws a Line on Unification with the Ruling Party

Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party who is maintaining a support rate in the '10% range,' still firmly holds the position that there will be 'absolutely no unification' regardless of party lines. However, he left open the possibility of opposition unification toward Ahn, who has relatively 'centrist expandability.'

On the 25th, Ahn appeared on YTN Radio’s "Hwang Boseon’s Start of a New Morning" and dismissed the question "What is the possibility of unification?" by saying, "There is no possibility." When asked, "Although the possibility is 0%, if unification happens nonetheless, are you saying it would be Ahnilhwa (unification toward Ahn Cheol-soo)?" he replied, "That is an accurate interpretation."

Ahn emphasized one of his strengths, 'centrist expandability.' He explained, "I am not considering unification, but if 'Ahnilhwa' happens and Ahn Cheol-soo becomes the representative candidate of the opposition, we can definitely win, and even Democratic Party members who currently support Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, would send their support to me. Therefore, the gap will widen further."

Regarding the conflict with Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, which is pointed out as an obstacle to Ahnilhwa, he said, "The greatest responsibility for whether the regime changes or not lies with the main opposition party," and added, "After contemplating how the opposition can realize the aspirations of opposition supporters who want regime change, if there is internal agreement on Ahnilhwa, then it will happen."

On the other hand, he drew a clear line regarding unification with the ruling party. Concerning the recent 'love call' sent by Song Young-gil, the Democratic Party leader, Ahn said, "I rather asked whether they would acknowledge the failures of the Moon Jae-in administration and join in judging the Moon Jae-in administration, but I have not yet received an answer," and added, "Can they engage in self-criticism? I think the possibility is none."