“Ahn Cheol-soo's Multi-Party Principle and Merger Reality Are Contradictory”
“Advantageous for South Korean Political Realignment After Yoon Seok-yeol's Administration”
Also Said During Last Year's Presidential Bid, “We Must Create a Multi-Party National Assembly”
Former Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu is declaring his candidacy for the 20th presidential election at a cafe in Yeouido, Seoul, on November 29 last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Former Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu emphasized on the 16th that Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, should maintain the framework of a joint government instead of merging with the People Power Party. He argued that the People’s Party should remain as a ‘third zone’ and develop a multi-party political system.
On the same day, Sohn posted on Facebook an article titled ‘What I Hope for Ahn Cheol-soo, the Transition Committee Chairman,’ stating, “Ahn Cheol-soo’s conviction in a ‘multi-party system’ and the reality of ‘merger’ remain contradictory.” He added, “The way to resolve this contradiction and conflict is not through a merger but by maintaining the People’s Party while Ahn takes on the role of Prime Minister or another important government position. It is about forming a ‘joint government,’ not a ‘unified government.’” Since Ahn has consistently emphasized a multi-party system in his presidential candidacy announcement and unification declaration press conferences, Sohn argued that the identity of Ahn and the People’s Party should be preserved without merging with the People Power Party.
He also evaluated that this would be advantageous for political realignment in Korea after President-elect Yoon Seok-youl’s administration begins. Sohn said, “If Ahn holds a government position while maintaining an independent party, the People’s Party will become the center of political realignment,” adding, “It will contribute to maintaining the third zone in Korean politics and institutionalizing coalition politics in a multi-party system.”
Sohn has consistently advocated the necessity of a multi-party system. During his fourth presidential bid on November 29 last year, he stated, “I will change the two-party National Assembly into a multi-party National Assembly to create a parliament that does not fight. I will abolish the presidential system and open a new path of parliamentary-centered coalition politics.”
Coincidentally, on the same day, it was reported that the People’s Party’s merger talks with the People Power Party had progressed to an irreversible stage. Kwon Eun-hee, the People’s Party floor leader who had been conducting merger negotiations with the People Power Party, opposed the merger and declared a break with Ahn on the same day. Kwon wrote on Facebook, “Since the unification joint declaration already includes the merger, the leadership cannot make a different decision,” but added, “Regardless of the party’s position, it is difficult to accept a merger that returns to the vested two-party system. I requested expulsion at the lawmakers’ meeting.”
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