[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Concerns are emerging that Ahn Cheol-soo, who is gaining momentum with the 'inevitable winner' theory, could become the 'second Na Kyung-won' as the presidential office dismissed former lawmaker Kim Young-woo, who served as the campaign committee chairman for Ahn's camp, and pro-Yoon (親尹) factions attacked Ahn as 'anti-Yoon' (反尹). This is because the pressure Na Kyung-won faced during her withdrawal process was similar in nature. In response, Ahn stated, "The dismissal means to conduct a proper election campaign," showing efforts to avoid being caught in the anti-Yoon frame. There are also concerns that if the anti-Yoon frame is imposed on him, actual anti-Yoon votes could consolidate in the runoff election.
Lee Cheol-gyu, a member of the People Power Party classified as pro-Yoon (親尹), criticized Ahn on the 3rd during MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' saying that if Ahn becomes party leader, it is highly likely that the power of state affairs will be weakened.
He also claimed that President Yoon Seok-yeol was greatly disappointed during his days as the transition committee chairman due to Ahn's 'disappearance.' When asked by the host whether President Yoon expressed disappointment, Lee replied, "When a person reaches this age in life, isn't it the same for everyone? At that age, when you see certain behavior, evaluations of that behavior tend to be similar."
Earlier, through his social media (SNS), he also pointed out that Ahn is 'pandering to Yoon's heart' and said, "Showing anti-Yoon behavior while trying to win party members' hearts by talking about 'Yoon-Ahn (Yoon Seok-yeol - Ahn Cheol-soo) alliance' or 'Kim-Jang (Kim Ki-hyun - Jang Je-won) rift' is deceiving party members," effectively pushing Ahn into the 'anti-Yoon' frame.
The presidential office's dismissal of former lawmaker Kim, the campaign committee chairman of Ahn's camp, adds weight to this frame. The attacks from pro-Yoon factions and the dismissal by the president are phenomena that also appeared during the withdrawal process of Na Kyung-won, a prominent party leadership candidate and presidential hopeful. It can be interpreted that the 'pro-Yoon faction's' attacks that were once directed at Na are now targeting Ahn.
However, Ahn rejected the 'anti-Yoon' frame, responding, "I take it as a meaning to conduct a proper election campaign. I understand the presidential office's decision." He still insists that he has 'Yoon's heart' (尹心).
Ahn's response to the presidential office's dismissal in this way is because if he falls into the 'anti-Yoon' frame during the party convention, which is important for party members, a decline in support is inevitable. Na Kyung-won also recorded the highest party support but saw her support plummet after being caught in the 'anti-Yoon' and 'non-Yoon' frames. Although Ahn currently leads in party support in multiple polls, if caught in the frame, his support could decline.
However, there is also an analysis that excessive 'anti-Yoon' labeling could actually give wings to Ahn. Cheon Ha-ram, the Suncheon district committee chairman of the 'Lee Jun-seok faction,' who truly advocates 'anti-Yoon,' is running for party leader, so votes with strong anti-Yoon tendencies will likely go to Chairman Cheon. But if no candidate wins a majority in the first round and the election proceeds to a runoff, the anti-Yoon votes that lose their way could consolidate behind Ahn.
Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, evaluated on CBS's 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One Match' the day before that Chairman Cheon's candidacy could be an opportunity to bring the 2030 generation to the polls, saying, "If this 2030 generation votes in the preliminary round, they are likely to vote in the runoff as well. They were people who wouldn't have voted, but if the anti-Yoon labeling continues, Ahn might actually benefit from these people in the runoff election."
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