Ahn "Kim Gi-hyeon Targets 'Tochak Waegu' Worldview"

"Who Will Vote in the General Election?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate for the March 8 People Power Party leadership election, sharply criticized fellow candidate Kim Ki-hyun's remarks regarding the 100% party member vote in the March 8 leadership election, saying it is "no different from the Democratic Party's 'native Japanese collaborator worldview.'"

On the 12th, Ahn posted on Facebook, "Does Kim see the people participating in the opinion poll as foreigners? Insulting the support base is the sure path to losing the general election," urging an apology.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Kim attended the opening ceremony of the Yeongnam Regional Autonomy Research Institute held at the Inter-Burgo Hotel in Daegu that morning and told reporters, targeting internal opposition to the '100% party member vote rule,' "Is it possible to reflect 30% of Japanese citizens' opinions when selecting the coach of the South Korean national soccer team?"

Ahn said, "It is a well-known fact that the anti-reverse selection rule was applied in the last leadership election," adding, "The 30% Kim mentioned refers to the People Power Party's friendly non-party supporters excluding Democratic Party supporters. I cannot understand how he can slander our supporters as Japanese citizens."

He continued, "Kim's claim is no different from the Democratic Party's 'native Japanese collaborator' worldview. It is shocking to see a leadership candidate divide the people and follow a reactionary diplomatic stance as is."

He also described Kim's remarks, which are considered aligned with President Yoon Seok-youl's intentions known as 'Yoon Sim,' as "playing separately from Yoon Sim." Ahn said, "Currently, the Yoon Seok-youl administration has declared it will restore Korea-Japan relations ruined by the Democratic Party regime. Although Kim often promotes Yoon Sim, he seems unable to grasp the president's important intentions," adding, "This is truly the image of a leadership candidate playing separately from the president."