Ahn Cheol-soo Courts Party Support Through Nomination Reform
The Origin of Assassination Nomination Dates Back to 2005 Japan LDP
Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate running for the leader of the People Power Party, has announced a plan for 'assassin nominations.' He even posted a survey link to compile a list of 20 Democratic Party lawmakers who should be expelled. The plan is to nominate competitive candidates early in the constituencies of the lawmakers on the 'expulsion target list' and concentrate the party's support capabilities. Since this party convention will be conducted with 100% party member voting, it appears that Ahn is courting party sentiment through nomination reform.
The targets of Ahn's assassins are the hardline Democratic Party lawmakers' group called 'Cheoreomhoe.' Ahn referred to lawmakers who actively defend Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung as the 'Lee Jae-myung bodyguard unit' and 'low-quality attackers,' warning that he will "judge them." He claims that Lee and the Cheoreomhoe lawmakers are abusing parliamentary immunity to obstruct the realization of judicial justice. Ahn cited Democratic Party lawmakers Ko Min-jung, Jeong Cheong-rae, Kim Nam-guk, Jang Kyung-tae, Kim Ui-gyeom, and Kim Yong-min as examples.
The mentioned Democratic Party lawmakers have expressed displeasure. It is natural that mid-level and heavyweight politicians are not pleased, as losing to a newcomer means not only losing their constituencies but also facing a thorny path for their political careers.
On the 24th, Ko Min-jung said on social media (SNS), "I welcome the assassin nomination to knock me out. I will win splendidly," adding, "But can you become the party leader?" She continued, "Do you know why you cannot become a great politician yourself? Because you treat politics and elections lightly, like children's play, instead of pointing out the opponent's problems and debating logically," criticizing the trivialization of elections and politics.
Jeong Cheong-rae also mocked on SNS, "Stop talking about assassins and come to Mapo-eul, Seoul. You said 'You come, Ahn Cheol-soo,' but you remain silent without a word. Looks like you fell asleep."
'Assassin nomination' is not a newly introduced election strategy. The term originated from the strategic nominations of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Just as an assassin is someone who kills a target on someone's orders, assassin nomination is a strategy of nominating a well-known or fresh newcomer to run against a political heavyweight's constituency. In 2005, Prime Minister Koizumi sent 'assassins' to the constituencies of lawmakers who left the party opposing postal privatization, and thanks to this strategy, the Liberal Democratic Party won a landslide victory.
There have been cases where assassin nomination emerged as a keyword in South Korea as well. In the 19th general election in 2012, the Democratic United Party nominated a 30-something political newcomer in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, where former Minister of Health and Welfare Jeon Jae-hee had served three consecutive terms. The newcomer was Lee Eon-ju, a lawyer and former executive of a certain company.
For the Democratic United Party, this was a 'no-lose choice' that could satisfy voters' expectations for generational change and new transformation, even if defeated. In this election, Lee Eon-ju caused a sensation by defeating Saenuri Party candidate Jeon Jae-hee and rose to stardom.
Ko Min-jung, a Democratic Party lawmaker on Ahn's list, was also considered a target of assassin nomination. A former KBS announcer with high name recognition, Ko ran in Seoul Gwangjin-eul in the 21st general election after serving as the Blue House spokesperson under the Moon Jae-in administration.
Her opponent was Oh Se-hoon of the United Future Party, who had even served as Seoul mayor. Although Oh stepped down as mayor in 2011 due to a referendum on free school meals, he was a political heavyweight mentioned as a presidential candidate. Most political experts predicted Oh's victory, but the result was a win for political newcomer Ko.
While assassin nomination draws attention to certain constituencies, it does not guarantee victory. To compete in the stronghold of a politically experienced and heavyweight figure, the assassin must also have high name recognition and outstanding qualities. In the 19th general election, the Saenuri Party fielded 20-something political newcomer Son Su-jo in Busan Sasang District to target opposition presidential candidate Moon Jae-in, but failed.
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