Ahn Cheol-soo Meets In Yo-han: "Innovation Has Failed... Patients Reject Treatment Methods"

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, had a surprise meeting with In Yo-han, the party's Innovation Committee Chairman, and bluntly stated, "Innovation has failed," adding, "Both In Chairman and I proposed treatment methods, but the patient refused treatment."

Chairman In and Representative Ahn met on the afternoon of the 7th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building and talked for about 30 minutes. They said, "Now it is time for Representative Kim Ki-hyun and the leadership to present an answer on how to regain public sentiment and secure victory in the general election." The meeting schedule was reportedly coordinated since last week at Chairman In's request.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the meeting, Representative Ahn told reporters, "I will share four directions for the party's future innovation that I agreed upon with Chairman In," adding, "It is necessary to gain the people's hearts and hope through the political sacrifice of party leaders." He said, "Those who have led the government and state affairs need to take responsibility for the defeat in the Gangseo District Office by-election and the early dissolution of the Innovation Committee."

Representative Ahn also emphasized, "The party's acceptance of Yongsan's wrong decisions has resulted in the party and Yongsan showing almost identical approval ratings," and stressed, "A healthy party-government relationship needs to be restored. That is not happening at all right now."

He proposed the active discovery and nomination of science and technology talents in the cabinet and general election, and a shift from ideology-centered factional politics to a people-centered pragmatic government.

Chairman In did not add comments on the innovation directions revealed by Representative Ahn, stating, "I have nothing further to say beyond what I mentioned this morning." He continued, "We still tried to reflect the will of the people well, but we confess once again before you that there were many shortcomings."

However, he spoke regarding the appointment of science and technology talents. Chairman In said, "Among the vice mayor of Daejeon (where the Daedeok Research Complex is located), minister-level officials, and presidential office secretaries, we need people involved in science, and it would be good if each lawmaker had a science secretary."

Regarding the background of the meeting, Chairman In said, "The purpose of coming today was because Representative Ahn made supportive remarks when I was at my hardest, and I am very grateful," adding, "Representative Ahn is a truly important talent not only for our party but for the Republic of Korea."