Ahn Cheol-soo Recommends "The Leopard of Kilimanjaro" as Theme Song for Lee Jun-seok's New Party

"No Secrets in Yeouido... No Incumbents Known to Have Left the Party"

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo repeatedly said that former leader Lee Jun-seok's plan to establish a new party "is not easy." On the 7th, Ahn stated on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "To start a new party, you need three things: people, money, and a point of differentiation, but none of these are visible yet."

Ahn said, "I recently saw that (former leader Lee) said he could gather 20 incumbent lawmakers, but there are no secrets in Yeouido. If there are lawmakers who plan to leave, like Lee Sang-min who recently left the Democratic Party, the possibilities are known even before they leave," adding, "As of now, there is not a single incumbent ruling party lawmaker known to be likely to leave." He also added, "(When I founded a party in the past) I actually paid all the money myself," emphasizing that founding a party requires more money than expected and is not easy.

Ahn continued, "I don't know why (former leader Lee) wants to start a new party, but I would like to sincerely recommend a theme song for Lee's new party," introducing singer Cho Yong-pil's song 'The Leopard of Kilimanjaro.'

The lyrics of 'The Leopard of Kilimanjaro' include the lines: "The hyena at the foot of the mountain that only searches for rotten meat of beasts. I want to be a leopard, not a hyena. After sleeping, I become great; after sleeping, I become shabby. I am now resting briefly in a dark corner of the earth. I am nowhere in the ambitious city's lights."

It also contains the lines: "What does it matter if I am thoroughly abandoned alone in the middle of this big city? There was a man named Koho who lived more unhappily than me, but I can't just come like the wind and go like the dew." Ahn added, "The lyrics fit well with (former leader Lee). I hope you listen to it once."

Regarding the meeting between Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun and Innovation Committee Chairman In Yo-han the day before, Ahn said, "(The time) was too short," and evaluated, "I was very worried whether the various issues that had been considered and accumulated could be properly resolved or if it was just a superficial patch-up for show."

He continued, "The leadership must clearly state their position on the Innovation Committee's recommendations," emphasizing, "For some proposals, they should fully accept them, or explain the circumstances and when decisions will be made. Clear answers like these are necessary for the public to accept them effectively."