"I won't use it if it's considered a bad expression"
"Na Kyung-won says, 'Please give me some time'"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Recently, candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, who faced backlash from the presidential office for using terms such as 'YoonAn (Yoon Seok-yeol - Ahn Cheol-soo) Alliance' and 'Yoonhaekgwan (Yoon Seok-yeol core associates),' announced that he would stop using the term 'Yoonhaekgwan.' He also expressed willingness to form an alliance with candidate Cheon Ha-ram, who is part of the 'Lee Jun-seok faction,' in the runoff election.
On the 6th, on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' candidate Ahn said, "As you mentioned, the term 'Yoonhaekgwan' carries various negative connotations, so I have decided not to use it anymore."
Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate for the People Power Party leadership, is holding a press conference related to the party convention at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Candidate Ahn emphasized that Yoon's support lies with him by mentioning the 'YoonAn Alliance,' and openly criticized lawmaker Jang Je-won by labeling him as 'Yoonhaekgwan.' In response, the presidential office strongly criticized, stating, "Those who try to gain political advantage using the baseless term 'Yoonhaekgwan' are disruptors and enemies of state governance."
Regarding the presidential office's strong reaction, candidate Ahn lowered his stance, saying, "Honestly, I had no such intention at all. And I also did not expect that it would be perceived that way. But since there is a possibility of misunderstanding, I have decided not to use those expressions."
About the term 'AnYoon Alliance,' he said, "It was a term used during unification talks and when I was the transition committee chairman." He added, "My intention was to faithfully and respectfully implement President Yoon's national agenda, but if that is considered a bad expression, I will refrain from using it."
Candidate Kim Ki-hyun has been visiting former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who declared she would not run, asking for help day after day. Candidate Ahn also contacted former lawmaker Na and said he received a reply. He said, "I also reached out. I received a response asking for some time. So I am currently waiting," and added, "I understood it as meaning that we would meet after organizing our thoughts and calming our minds to have a conversation."
He left open the possibility of an alliance with candidate Cheon, who is part of the 'Lee Jun-seok faction,' in the runoff. He said, "When there is no runoff, various alliance movements can happen beforehand. But if there is a runoff, first, in the primary round, each candidate will do their best to gather their supporters, and once the first and second places are decided, the remaining candidates will likely see the first and second place candidates making active efforts to form alliances."
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