Yoon and Ahn Hold Sudden Meeting Until Dawn After TV Debate
"I Have No Doubt About Achieving a Perfect Regime Change"
Some Supporters of Ahn Cheol-soo Express 'Disappointment' and 'Betrayal'
On the morning of the 3rd, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party, who reached a sudden agreement on opposition unity, raised their hands together after concluding a joint press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Don't the supporters think?", "I withdraw my support for Ahn Cheol-soo."
On the 3rd, as news of the unification between Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party candidate, spread, posts condemning this flooded the online cafes where Ahn's supporters gathered.
One supporter vented, "What did we gain from unification during the Seoul mayoral election?" Other supporters of Ahn also could not hide their disappointment.
Not only do they reject many of the pledges put forward by Yoon, but as talks of a merger with the People Power Party became known, reactions emerged expressing a complete withdrawal of support for Ahn.
Kim, a company employee in his 40s, raised his voice, saying, "There were many talks about unification, but didn't he declare he wouldn't do it?" and "I supported Ahn because I liked his philosophy, but he's just like the established politicians."
◆ "Too many last nails driven" Ahn Cheol-soo denies unification mentioning supporters... also expresses intention to complete the presidential race
The disappointment of supporters seems to stem from Ahn repeatedly stating that there would be no unification. It is a kind of betrayal. Earlier, on the 8th, Ahn dismissed Yoon's suggestion of a 'final negotiation' regarding opposition unification, saying, "A final negotiation between candidates would not receive support from the supporters."
At the Kwanhun Club invitation debate that day, Ahn was asked several questions about the possibility of opposition unification but repeatedly expressed his intention to complete the race. When asked, "Is this the last nail you are driving to deny unification?" he said, "I've driven so many last nails that I don't even know which number this is."
He added, "(Opposition unification) was never considered from the start, and my goal is to win," emphasizing again, "I am running in the presidential election to bring about a regime change." When asked if he had received any unification negotiation proposals from the People Power Party, he drew a line, saying, "I have not actually received any proposals."
Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, is speaking at the presidential candidate invitation meeting held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 9th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Ahn also responded to Lee Jun-seok, the People Power Party leader, who said in a radio interview that he thought Ahn should make a political decision before this weekend, by saying, "So far, (Lee) has hardly ever made predictions that came true."
When asked about rumors that the People Power Party offered Ahn the prime minister position, he emphasized, "I have never received such an offer, and I clearly state that I did not make any proposals to them in advance."
That day, Ahn also indirectly pointed out Yoon's 'shamanism controversy.' When told, "The second presidential candidate TV debate on the 11th was originally supposed to be held on the 8th, but the People Power Party canceled it, citing Ahn's schedule. (Ahn's side) requested a postponement because of today's Kwanhun debate," he bluntly said, "That's a lie."
Regarding his remaining election strategy, he said, "I will properly convey my sincerity, the rapidly changing global situation, and the crisis escape solutions I think about given how much our country is in a crisis," and reiterated his intention to complete the presidential race, saying, "I will be recognized."
However, the situation of Ahn, who had repeatedly expressed his intention to complete the race, took a sudden turn. Yoon Seok-yeol and Ahn Cheol-soo met right after the TV debate on the 2nd and reportedly reached a sudden agreement on unification after discussions until early morning the next day, coordinating a detailed agreement.
On the morning of the 3rd, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party, who reached a sudden agreement on opposition unity, embraced each other after concluding a joint press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
◆ Ha Tae-kyung: "Ahn read the public sentiment of those around him"
Behind Ahn's sudden decision to unify is the view that he read the thoughts of his close aides who were considering unification. Ha Tae-kyung, the People Power Party's special committee chair for games in the election campaign headquarters, analyzed on the 3rd that the unification between Yoon and Ahn, which was suddenly agreed upon, was conducted secretly, and that Ahn reading the minds of his aides after declaring the unification breakdown on the 1st greatly contributed to the unification's success.
Ha appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that morning and said, "I woke up around 6 a.m. and learned about the unification then," adding, "From Yoon's side, he was not confident even until the end of the debate, and even past midnight (the previous day), he didn't know, but between 12:30 and 1 a.m., he changed direction and went to meet Ahn."
He continued, "Ahn had what is called a 'moment of the star,' a big opportunity. So, he probably had a strong desire to basically go all the way in this presidential election. After that, Ahn looked at the public sentiment of his close aides and those around him as a standard," he explained.
Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, shake hands after concluding a unification press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the morning of the 3rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
◆ Yoon Seok-yeol and Ahn Cheol-soo: "We will definitely achieve regime change"
Ahn declared that he would share the intention of regime change with Yoon. The two candidates held a unification press conference at the National Assembly that morning and officially announced their unification, saying, "We, Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoon Seok-yeol, have agreed today to unite our will for regime change as the beginning of making a better Republic of Korea, that is, a 'better regime change.'"
They added, "With today's unification declaration, we firmly believe without a shadow of a doubt that perfect regime change will be realized," emphasizing, "We will definitely achieve regime change and prepare for an era of great transformation for change and innovation in Korea solely according to the will of the people."
The two candidates especially emphasized "One Team," saying, "We will complement each other's shortcomings and definitely achieve regime change, and through a mutually complementary, competent, and prepared administration, we will create a successful regime."
The model for the next government through unification was presented as a "future-oriented and reformative 'National Unity Government.'"
They said, "The National Unity Government will be the first step beyond the winner-takes-all, hatred and exclusion, and divisive politics, which have been chronic diseases of Korean politics since democratization in 1987," and "Through the National Unity Government, we will normalize all governance that has been marked by double standards, lies and hypocrisy, and unfairness over the past four and a half years."
Meanwhile, there is speculation that this unification might allow Yoon to raise his approval ratings in the ultra-close presidential race against Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate. However, some analysts suggest that because the unification was delayed more than expected and negative reactions have emerged, Lee's support base might consolidate.
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