Ahn Cheol-soo: "Joining Lee Nak-yeon is an option... founding a party is difficult"

On the 27th, Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, suggested that former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who is pushing for the creation of a new party, might consider joining the People Power Party rather than forming a new party.

On the same day, Ahn appeared on KBS's special radio program 'Special 1 Radio Today' and commented on the possibility of Lee Nak-yeon forming a new party, saying, "In fact, creating a new party is very difficult. You really need good people to come together, then you need funding, differentiation, and leadership." He added, "If you prepare well with these four elements, forming a new party can be one of the possible ways, but joining me and fighting together is also one option."

He also said, "I am the person who can best understand former leader Lee's feelings. He must have many concerns, but I hope he makes a bold decision for the development of Korean politics. Creating a third party is one option, and as I posted on Facebook, fighting alongside me is another, so I hope he considers various options."

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, is attending the joint meeting of senior lawmakers with three or more terms held at the floor leader's office in the National Assembly on the 14th of this month. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Regarding Han Dong-hoon, the former Minister of Justice who was appointed as the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, Ahn proposed building a constructive party-government relationship.

Ahn said, "Some people worry that since Chairman Han is accustomed to the hierarchical culture of the prosecution, which values strict obedience, he might not break away from a vertical party-government relationship with the president. However, I believe the two have a very long-standing relationship that allows for frank conversations without misunderstandings," adding, "If that happens, I expect it will form the healthiest party-government relationship."

On the 'Special Prosecutor Law for First Lady Kim Keon-hee,' he said, "The ruling party leadership and the government are effectively planning to exercise a veto," but added, "However, I think it is important to propose alternatives that can systematically manage the First Lady's activities in response to many citizens' concerns to gain public support."

He continued, "For example, the special inspector is stipulated by law, but during the Moon Jae-in administration, the position was not appointed, which caused much public resentment. That was probably one of the reasons the public decided to change the administration," and said, "To differentiate from the Moon administration, appointing such a special inspector as stipulated by law to assure the public that the First Lady's activities are systematically managed is truly what we hope for."