Steps Toward Breaking the 'Gongdongjeongbu'?… Ahn Halts All Official Schedules

No Recommended Personnel Appointed
Han Deok-su: "Please Understand the Reality"
Merger of Two Major Parties Expected to Be Delayed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Boryeong Geum] One day after the announcement of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's second cabinet lineup, Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee (pictured), canceled all official schedules. Concerns grew that the already fragile plan for a joint government might be heading toward collapse. Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo said, "Please understand the reality that there are times when it is difficult to strictly adhere to the principle of joint governance."

According to the transition team and the committee on the 14th, Chairman Ahn canceled his official schedule to visit the Seoul Fire Department Disaster Prevention Center with the committee's Political, Judicial, and Administrative Subcommittee members that morning. It was reported that Ahn notified the committee of his intention to be absent.

The cancellation of Chairman Ahn's schedule is interpreted as expressing discomfort with the cabinet appointments. By the 13th, appointments for ministers of 16 ministries had been announced, but none were related to Ahn. He also did not attend the dinner with President-elect Yoon the previous day and had previously made a pointed remark, saying, "I wanted to offer advice in areas where I have expertise, but there was no such process."

With Chairman Ahn's sudden cancellation, attention is focused on his future position. It is also assessed that the likelihood of appointing someone from Ahn's faction as the minister of Employment and Labor or the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, scheduled to be announced on the 14th, is low. The merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party has also been stalled. Prime Minister nominee Han said on the same day, responding to evaluations that "Ahn's faction's dissatisfaction is rising because no Ahn-related figures were included in the cabinet appointments," "Personnel matters go through a very complex process," and "There are aspects where it is difficult to maintain the principle of a joint government." However, he added, "Whenever we discuss and select responsible positions for all state affairs, we will always keep in mind and discuss the fundamental spirit of integration with Representative Ahn Cheol-soo."

Baek Hyun-jin, spokesperson for the president-elect, refrained from commenting on the reasons for Ahn's absence during a briefing that day but said, "We have trust that (Chairman Ahn) will take full responsibility and do his best." Regarding Ahn's actions, he said, "The transition committee has less than a month left," and "I believe Chairman Ahn can especially contemplate the importance of this condensed and crucial time for opening a new five years to the people in a short period."

Due to internal discord within the transition committee, the merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party, which had completed practical negotiations, is expected to be postponed repeatedly. At the People Power Party's Supreme Council meeting that day, a plan to approve the merger agenda was originally scheduled, but it was deferred as the People’s Party did not reach a final internal agreement. A People Power Party official said, "Decisions on most matters related to the merger have been made," and "We are waiting for the final position of the People’s Party."

On the ground, difficulties in preparing for the upcoming June 1 local elections are being voiced. A regional committee member of the People’s Party said, "The merger needs to happen for us to attend the candidate screening committee interviews, but since no official position has been announced yet, we are also watching the situation," adding, "We need to hear the party’s exact stance to know more."