"An Cheol-soo, Hopefully No Finger-Cutting as He Said"
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed that he felt "even more confident of victory" regarding the unification announcement made in the early morning between Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Party.
On the morning of the 3rd, during a speech at Nokdong Market in Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, Song said, "Looking at today's unification, I am certain that (our supporters) have united and won."
He added, "Do you want a president made by Chosun Ilbo or a president made by the people?" and urged, "Please support Lee Jae-myung, who will unify Yeongnam and Honam and create a government of national unity, not a president made by Shincheonji and shamanistic groups."
He continued, "According to Ahn's words, it is not so much support for candidate Yoon himself but rather a 'blind regime change' and a 'regime change as if under a spell,' coming solely as a means to that end," and criticized, "Ahn said, 'If someone who doesn't even know if the world is changing or where it is heading unconditionally takes the presidency, it will ruin the country.' I hope, as he said, there will be no act of cutting off fingers."
Song said, "Currently, the People Power Party has only 105 seats, while the Democratic Party has 172 seats," and added, "How can you govern the country with 105 seats for 2 years and 1 month at the beginning of a 5-year presidential term? It will be a figurehead president."
He also mentioned, "I spoke on the phone with former Chairman Kim Jong-in yesterday," and conveyed, "'At this rate, it will be a figurehead president. You did well to propose a government of national unity,' he expressed strong agreement."
People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol and People’s Party presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo pose after concluding a unification press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the morning of the 3rd. /Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day (the 3rd), Song also pointed out through his social media, "A sudden deal to divide positions was made early this morning," and criticized, "It is difficult for the people to accept a political deal without sincerity or empathy."
He continued, "There will be a wise and cold judgment from the people. Our people have prevented historical regression with awakened actions at every turning point in history. Now is the time to act to prevent the crisis of democracy and historical regression," and appealed, "We must show the power of the Democratic Party to the colluding forces that underestimate the people."
Meanwhile, on the same day, candidates Yoon and Ahn declared unification, stating, "We have agreed to unite for a better regime change." In their joint statement, they said, "We will surely achieve regime change and prepare for an era of great transformation for the change and innovation of the Republic of Korea solely according to the will of the people."
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