Ahn Cheol-soo and President Yoon Face-Off, Then Pause After One Day
Jung Jin-seok: "Yoon Core Supporters Mocked, President Spat Back"
Cheon Ha-ram: "First Resignation of Yoon Core Supporters... Ahn Opportunistic"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The direct confrontation between the Blue House and Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, which emerged ahead of the People Power Party's March 8 party convention, has entered a pause after just one day. This came as Ahn appeared to back down by deciding not to use the term 'Yunhaekgwan' (key associates of President Yoon Seok-yeol), which the Blue House had criticized. However, the sharp exchanges between Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate competing for party leadership, and Ahn continue, intensifying internal party conflicts.
On the 6th, in an interview with MBC Radio, Candidate Ahn said, "(The Yoon-Ahn alliance) was a term used during the unification and also when I was the transition committee chairman," adding, "My intention was to faithfully and respectfully implement President Yoon's national agenda, but if it is considered a bad expression, I will not use it." He also added that he would not use the term 'Yunhaekgwan.' After the live radio broadcast, Ahn canceled scheduled public events such as free meal service volunteering for elderly living alone and marginalized groups.
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@
Following the Blue House's characterization of the term 'Yunhaekgwan' as a disruptor and enemy of national governance aimed at Candidate Ahn, Lee Jin-bok, the Blue House's Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, also criticized Ahn directly the day before, saying, "'Ahn-Yoon alliance' is really wrong," and "How can the president and the party leader candidate be on the same level?" However, the Blue House lowered its tone within a day. Kim Young-woo, election campaign committee chairman for Ahn Cheol-soo's camp, explained, "In the ruling party's convention, all candidates claim cooperation and unity with the president," adding, "Candidate Ahn also used the term 'alliance' in the context of the importance of cooperation with the president. There was no other meaning." He further said, "We will keep in mind the Blue House's concerns about fair elections and do our best for the success of the convention."
However, the party's 'pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction' continued to launch crossfire attacks targeting Candidate Ahn on the same day. Candidate Kim posted on his Facebook, "Does Candidate Ahn, who supports the 'Media Union,' the main source of anti-Republic of Korea reports, have the qualifications to become the leader of the People Power Party?" He claimed, "Ahn Cheol-soo's pro-Media Union record requires explanation. It is a matter directly related to his identity." He added, "Candidate Ahn should clearly state his position on the Media Union. If he hesitates or consistently avoids stating his position, I declare that we will have no choice but to demand his withdrawal from the party convention candidacy." Earlier, the conservative civic group 'Fair Media People's Solidarity' (Gong-eonryeon) issued a statement demanding Ahn's withdrawal, claiming he has supported the pro-opposition National Union of Media Workers.
Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate for the leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 19th. Photo by Dong-joo Yoon doso7@
On the same day, Emergency Committee Chairman Chung Jin-seok strongly criticized the 'Yunhaekgwan' controversy as 'malicious mockery' during a press meeting at the National Assembly. Chairman Chung said, "Using terms like traitor or Yunhaekgwan mockingly is practically spitting on the president," targeting Ahn's claim that "the commander of Yunhaekgwan is Assemblyman Jang Je-won," and that "they do not care about the president's safety but only about their next nomination."
Assemblyman Lee Cheol-gyu also directly attacked on his Facebook, saying, "A person who respects communist Shin Young-bok, opposed the deployment of THAAD to protect the Republic of Korea, and attributes successes to himself while blaming others for failures," adding, "A person who could not even properly operate a small boat and caused it to run aground now claims to be the captain of the Republic of Korea ship."
Meanwhile, Cheon Ha-ram, a non-pro-Yoon faction candidate for party leadership, criticized both candidates. In a CBS Radio interview that day, Cheon said, "I think the pro-Yoon key associates, who most distort and pollute the mainstream of the People Power Party, should be removed first," and regarding Candidate Ahn, "Since it is clear that the pro-Yoon candidate title will completely fall off, he is now suddenly attacking Yunhaekgwan and Assemblyman Jang Je-won. I think this is quite opportunistic political maneuvering."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
