Ahn Cheol-soo "Will Submit Signature List for Lee Jun-seok's Expulsion"
Amid the People Power Party's Innovation Committee recommending amnesty for former leader Lee Jun-seok and other non-Yoon faction members within the party, Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo continues his campaign to expel Lee. The amnesty agenda, the Innovation Committee's first item, is scheduled for a Supreme Council decision on the 2nd of next month, but it is not receiving support even from those who are the subjects of the amnesty.
On the 31st, Assemblyman Ahn stated on his social media, "As of yesterday, 41,348 people have directly participated in the signature campaign to expel former leader Lee," adding, "I will submit the list of names collected so far to the party and await the party's decision."
Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
During the recent by-election campaign for the Gangseo District Mayor, Assemblyman Ahn accused former leader Lee of creating fake news related to Ahn's 'swearing controversy' and announced his intention to push for Lee's expulsion. Despite the 'In Yohan Innovation Committee' formed in the meantime recommending the lifting of disciplinary action against Lee, Ahn continues to advocate for Lee's expulsion.
He further claimed that Lee has created another piece of fake news. Assemblyman Ahn pointed out, "(Recently) I completed the Chuncheon Marathon 42.195 km in 4 hours and 33 minutes. At a press conference, former leader Lee spread rumors about my health by saying, 'I don't deal with sick people,' which is the second round of fake news following the fake news during the Gangseo District Mayor election campaign."
Ahn said, "After I started the signature campaign, Lee reversed his statement about not engaging with me and appeared on broadcasts daily, obscuring the essence of the situation. However, the core issue is that he spread fake news and lies that negatively affect the election, which is crucial to the fate of our party," adding, "I will continue to respond strongly to any excessive fake news or lies."
On the 27th, the Innovation Committee confirmed 'large-scale amnesty for party unity' as its first innovation agenda and recommended amnesty for former leader Lee Jun-seok, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won, and others. However, Assemblyman Ahn emphasized that "the core is a major shift in national policy direction and the establishment of a constructive party-government relationship," stating, "The Innovation Committee must prioritize this above all else."
The agenda proposed by the Innovation Committee is scheduled to be decided at the Supreme Council meeting on the 2nd of next month. However, even those targeted for the 'large-scale amnesty' are not welcoming it. Former leader Lee expressed displeasure on SBS Radio, saying, "What amnesty is there when I am innocent?" and "They talk about amnesty as if they have some great benevolent power." He also criticized the attitude of "treating a person in their forties like a child."
Mayor Hong also met with reporters after a budget policy meeting with Daegu local assembly members the previous day, saying, "They could simply cancel the disciplinary action, but instead, they are talking about large-scale amnesty," adding, "Amnesty is the president's authority to forgive those who have committed crimes. What president does the party have?"
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