[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Since former lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Yoo Seung-min declared they would not run in the ruling party's leadership election, the stock of Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, a leading candidate for party leadership, has been soaring. Poll results show Ahn beating his rival Assemblyman Kim Ki-hyun by nearly double the score, and favorable developments continue for Ahn, including the emergence of Kim's 'bouquet controversy.'
On the 1st, Assemblyman Ahn evaluated the recent poll results on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' saying, "There is a nationwide consensus forming around the question of who is the candidate that can win in the metropolitan area, who can receive even one more vote, and who can get even one more person elected as party leader."
According to recent polls conducted by R&Search and Gallup Korea targeting People Power Party supporters, Assemblyman Ahn defeated Assemblyman Kim in both multi-candidate and one-on-one matchups. In particular, Gallup Korea's one-on-one matchup poll drew attention as Ahn led Kim by a margin close to double the score.
The pro-Yoon faction regards these poll results as a temporary phenomenon and argues that polls targeting supporters differ from those of registered party members. People Power Party Assemblyman Park Soo-young said on CBS's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Show' the previous day, "There may have been a convention effect due to former lawmakers Na and Yoo's withdrawal," adding, "However, this is not a poll conducted among registered party members."
However, Assemblyman Ahn countered, "Party sentiment usually follows public opinion closely," adding, "Although the population ratio may differ slightly, compared to the past, the gap between party members and public sentiment has significantly narrowed. Now, there are more metropolitan area party members and more party members in their 20s to 40s." The People Power Party has a total of 800,000 registered party members, half of whom joined during former leader Lee Jun-seok's tenure. There is no absolute reason to elect a 'pro-Yoon' representative.
With Assemblyman Ahn's strong showing in polls and the 'bouquet controversy' surrounding his main rival Assemblyman Kim, the momentum for Ahn's dominance is likely to strengthen as the candidate registration day for the leadership election approaches. Kim posted a photo on his social media showing himself holding a bouquet with singer Nam Jin and volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung to showcase their friendship, but it was revealed that Nam Jin does not even know Kim.
Assemblyman Yoon Sang-hyun, a leadership candidate who has aligned with Ahn on the 'metropolitan area representative theory,' criticized Kim on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' saying, "I called Mr. Nam Jin, and he asked, 'What is his name?' He said he doesn't even know him," adding, "Reckless promotion damages the party's dignity."
However, Assemblyman Ahn's weakness is his limited support base within the party. Assemblyman Kim also pointed out that "there are no incumbent lawmakers supporting Assemblyman Ahn." But Ahn stated, "They just don't express it publicly," revealing that about 20 lawmakers have expressed support and have been in contact by phone.
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