Ahn Cheol-soo: "Some forces that helped unify are undermining sincerity"

An, 1st Anniversary Press Conference on Unification
"I Will Devote Myself to Winning the General Election"
Responds to Criticism of Aligning with the Presidential Office: "I Trust the President"

Ahn Cheol-soo, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, held a joint press conference with President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 3rd to commemorate their unification during the candidacy period, stating, "It was a meaningful day that changed the history of the Republic of Korea," and pledged, "I will devote myself entirely to the success of President Yoon and the People Power Party government through victory in the general election."

On the same day, Candidate Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "One year ago today was the day we declared to the people that we were a 'National Unity Government.'

He emphasized, "The decision to unify, which achieved a regime change for the first time in five years in constitutional history, will be judged by history," and added, "I am proud of the decision I made to contribute to the regime change."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "I still feel sorry to many supporters who hoped for my full run," but promised, "I vow to dedicate myself to all reforms for the future of our country, including labor reform, pension reform, and education reform, for the success of President Yoon and the National Unity Government."

Candidate Ahn also directed remarks at Jang Je-won, a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction lawmaker, regarding the candidate unification. At that time, the unification was secretly conducted at the home of Professor Sung Kwang-je, who is Jang’s brother-in-law and an acquaintance of Candidate Ahn.

He said, "Regrettably, there are some forces that deny and belittle the sincerity and historical significance of the unification," adding, "No matter how ruthless and heartless politics may be, I want to ask them how they can be so fickle and ask if politics means no faith or ethics to them."

He also said, "I clearly ask them," and "Was it a wrong decision to unify with President Yoon and achieve regime change? I hope they will answer."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, are embracing after concluding a unification press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the morning of the 3rd. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

In response to the criticism that "Taking a stance against the Presidential Office at the end of the party convention is an exit strategy in case of failure to advance to the final round," he raised his voice somewhat and rebutted, "What stance did I take? I said I trust the President."

Regarding the criticism that the party leadership and the election commission were unfair during the convention process, he said, "On February 17, Kim Ki-hyun’s floor leader side protested to the election commission about negative campaigning. In fact, the negative campaigning mostly involved ideological verification based on remarks made by Candidate Kim during the one year out of my 11 years in politics," and added, "Regarding real estate issues, former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn spoke, and when Candidate Kim inquired with the election commission, all election commissioners came out and held a press conference. Although the target is well known, it was effectively aimed at me."

He continued, "In the Gyeongnam region, party member lists were distributed for campaigning, but the election commission said they would review it, yet the election is tomorrow," and criticized, "Only one day remains today, and this is a matter that requires a press conference and a serious warning."