Ahn Cheol-soo Criticizes President Yoon... Breaking Through the General Election as a Non-Yoon Faction?

"Hope to Visit Ukraine After the Rainy Season..."
Ahn Expresses Determination for General Election, Differentiates from Pro-Yoon Faction

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo's sharp criticism toward the presidential office is becoming clearer. Regarding issues mainly criticized by the opposition, such as President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to Ukraine and the cancellation of the Yangpyeong highway project, Ahn also expressed negative views.

Ahn, who has been evaluated as being on the boundary between 'pro-Yoon' and 'anti-Yoon' factions, appears to be gradually solidifying his anti-Yoon stance ahead of next year's general election. It is assessed that he has shown his determination to overcome the election by differentiating himself from the pro-Yoon camp.

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@

On the 18th, Ahn stated on SBS Radio that President Yoon's visit to Ukraine was ill-timed. Considering the seriousness of the Ukraine war, Ahn said the visit itself was necessary. However, he expressed regret, saying, "I wonder how it would have been if (the flood) issues were diligently resolved first, the rainy season had ended, and the visit was made secretly."

Regarding the Yangpyeong highway issue, which was canceled following opposition allegations of preferential treatment toward First Lady Kim Keon-hee, Ahn criticized the government's response, saying, "The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the complete cancellation of the highway construction. The lives of the people were thrown aside." However, Ahn also toned down his criticism toward the Democratic Party, stating, "They are trying to gain political advantage by using the Kim Keon-hee frame at every turn."

Ahn has already expressed his intention to run in next year's general election. His constituency is Bundang-gap, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province. This constituency became vacant when Kim Eun-hye, the presidential office's chief spokesperson, ran for the Gyeonggi Province governor election in June last year. Subsequently, Ahn ran in the by-election and won, securing the constituency.

In political circles, there are talks that Chief Spokesperson Kim will run again in Bundang-gap in next year's general election. If this becomes a reality, a conflict over party nomination between Ahn and Kim is expected to arise.

Ahn's sharp criticism of President Yoon is analyzed as a strategy in preparation for next year's general election. It may be a strategy to absorb the anti-Yoon support base within the party by differentiating himself from Kim, a key figure in the pro-Yoon camp.

Ahn also showed caution regarding the rumor of Kim's return to Bundang-gap. In a CBS Radio interview, he said, "(Kim) may still have many roles to fulfill within the government," adding, "It has been exactly one year since I was elected in Bundang-gap. Politicians should not change their constituencies recklessly."