Ahn Cheol-soo "Have you ever seen the first place withdraw?"... Kim Ki-hyun accuses Ahn of ideological bias

Ahn Cheol-soo Denies 'Possibility of Midterm Resignation'
Kim Ki-hyun Raises Issues with Ahn Cheol-soo's Past Remarks

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong and Kim Youngwon] Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the National Assembly who has thrown his hat into the ring for the next leader of the People Power Party, dismissed the 'possibility of mid-race withdrawal' circulating in some political circles.

On the morning of the 7th, after the 'People Power Party 3rd Party Convention Candidate Vision Presentation' held at a broadcasting studio in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Ahn told reporters, "Have you ever seen the leading candidate withdraw?"

Ahn is currently holding a lead within the margin of error in opinion polls against Kim Ki-hyun, who is classified as a competitor. In response, Ahn said, "The party leader is not chosen by opinion polls but by election. I will not be swayed by opinion polls or be complacent. I will tell party members who I am and what my vision and policies are," emphasizing, "I will strive to prove that I am a qualified person."

On the 7th, at a broadcasting studio in Seoul, candidates Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo are conversing during the People Power Party's 3rd party convention candidate vision presentation. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Regarding the recent tensions with the Presidential Office over the 'Ahn-Yoon Alliance' (Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoon Seok-youl alliance), Ahn appeared unfazed. He said, "The Presidential Office raised two issues, and I explained them in my own way, but respecting the Presidential Office's position, I reviewed all the election materials and did not use them as promised." When asked if he felt hurt, he replied, "No, I do not."

Kim highlighted that Ahn does not align with the party's colors. At a meeting with reporters after the vision presentation, Kim said, "(Ahn) has raised many questions about whether his past statements or actions align with the values our party pursues, so I think it is better for him to explain himself." Through Facebook that day, Kim criticized Ahn's past remarks such as "Where are spies in today's world?", "Shin Young-bok is a great intellectual," "THAAD deployment does not help national interests," "I will inherit DJ's Sunshine Policy," and "Dictator Deng Xiaoping is my role model."

Kim added, "Whether he can become a leader who aligns with our party's values is a very important policy verification matter."