Kim Ki-hyun "Presidential candidates, risk of overreach in nomination rights"
Ahn Cheol-soo "Those without presidential election experience are short-sighted"
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Ki-hyun, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, another candidate, engaged in a verbal dispute over the issue of presidential candidates exercising nomination rights. When Kim expressed concerns about the influence of presidential candidates on the general election nominations after announcing he would not run in the next presidential election, Ahn, a potential presidential candidate, retorted that it was "the narrow view of someone without experience."
On the 29th, at the launch event of his youth policy supporters group 'Y.P.T (Young People Together) 2nd term' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Kim said, "If someone thinks they should run for president next time, the temptation to include their own people in this general election nomination inevitably grows," adding, "Then, even if someone is somewhat lacking or has less support from residents, if they are considered an ally, there is a higher risk of forcing nominations through unreasonable means."
He stated, "I have given up the intention to run in the next presidential election," and described himself as "the person who can conduct the fairest nomination." Kim's remarks were aimed at Ahn, who is considered among the next presidential candidates.
Kim Gi-hyeon, a candidate for the People Power Party leadership, is seated at the 'Ahn Cafe' in front of Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul, attending the 'A New Future with Kim Gi-hyeon' - Town Hall Meeting on the 29th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Ahn responded by emphasizing that the party leadership does not automatically lead to the next presidential candidacy, mentioning the remaining time until the next presidential election.
After attending the 'Talk Concert for the Future of Youth in the Metropolitan Area' held at the Gyeonggi Textile Comprehensive Support Center in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, he told the media, "The leader who wins a landslide victory in next year's general election does not automatically become the presidential candidate." He added, "It is early in the president's term, and there are still three long years ahead, so only those who prove their abilities during that period can run for president."
Ahn Cheol-soo, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is showing his worn-out socks after receiving new socks as a gift from a supporter at a talk concert for the future of young people in the metropolitan area held at the Gyeonggi Textile Comprehensive Support Center in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province on the 29th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Regarding concerns that nomination rights might be used to plant one's own people to gain an advantageous position in the presidential race, he said, "That is probably the narrow view of someone who has not directly experienced a presidential election." Ahn stated, "This is not the time to worry about the presidential election. If we lose next year's general election, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration will face the unfortunate situation of becoming a lame-duck government that cannot do anything," and added, "What we must do is mobilize all available resources to achieve a landslide victory in the general election."
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