'Neither Prime Minister nor Local Election Candidate'... Ahn Cheol-soo's Choice Aiming for the Next-Next Term

The Challenge Every Presidential Election: Efforts to Secure a Solid Support Base in PK and Other Regions
Possibility of Establishing a Reliable Support Base

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the presidential transition committee who had planned to form a coalition government for the next administration, announced that he will neither serve as Prime Minister nor run in the local elections, drawing attention to his future path. There is also speculation that Ahn, who is aiming for the administration after the next, will strengthen his regional base in areas such as Busan.

Ahn, leader of the People’s Party which is in merger talks with the People Power Party, held a meeting at the transition committee press conference hall in Tongui-dong on the 30th of last month and said, "I have given a lot of thought to my position," adding, "After drawing a blueprint and a good direction for the next government as the transition committee chairman, not participating directly in the cabinet would rather reduce the burden on President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol." He stated that he will not participate in the next government’s inaugural cabinet as Prime Minister or as a minister.

When asked about his plans after the transition committee’s activities end, he said, "I believe there is much I can contribute to expanding the party’s support base and to stabilizing the administration." Considering the progress in the merger between the People’s Party and the People Power Party, this is interpreted as his intention to play a role within the People Power Party.

Ahn’s future path can be judged based on the situation he experienced in this presidential election. Although he expressed opposition to candidate unification, he ultimately declared support for Yoon Seok-yeol, then the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, just before early voting and withdrew from the race. Despite being mocked as ‘Cheolsu (撤收)’ politics, meaning withdrawal politics, he made the decision on the grounds of regime change and a coalition government.

In fact, the reason Ahn could not complete the presidential race was ultimately his ‘approval rating.’ During a period when Yoon’s approval rating faltered due to conflicts with People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, Ahn’s rating dramatically surged. However, after the conflict ended, Ahn’s approval rating was trapped in a box range around 15% and gradually declined. In the 19th presidential election, Ahn once showed strong momentum closely chasing President Moon Jae-in, but ultimately placed third with 21.4% of the vote, trailing behind Hong Joon-pyo of the Liberty Korea Party. Advocating centrist values within the framework of a third party, Ahn had to fight an election campaign lacking a solid base, with fluctuating approval ratings and no strong finish. He showed power when the wind blew, but lost momentum when the wind died down.

A senior member of the People Power Party said, "Ahn should have some degree of regional base," diagnosing, "Although he is from Busan, he does not have Busan as his regional base." He advised, "It would be necessary for Ahn to show affection for Busan and make efforts to gain the support of the people of Busan."

Besides Ahn’s strengths such as centrism, there is a need for him to establish a regional base in the so-called PK area?Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam. If Ahn aims for the next presidential election, he must make efforts to solidify a firm support base. For this reason, there is analysis in political circles that Ahn might run in by-elections for vacant PK-area National Assembly seats caused by local elections.