Ahn Cheol-soo: "We Must Break Ties with the Radical Faction of the People Power Party... Yoon Should Lead Supporters to Stay Calm"

Ahn Cheol-soo: "Lee Jae-myung's Trial Must Be Completed by February 15"
Political Circles Must End the Psychological Civil War and Focus on Stabilizing State Affairs

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo stated on the 20th, "The People Power Party must also accept the recent court ruling and firmly sever ties with some radical forces who incited riots in order to uphold conservative values." Regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol, who has been detained, he urged, "Please guide your supporters to remain calm."

Ahn Cheol-soo, People Power Party member Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the same day, Ahn held a press conference to express his position on President Yoon's detention and the intrusion of supporters into the Seoul Western District Court. Concerning the unprecedented court intrusion, Ahn said, "In a reality where the fate of the president and the opposition party leader rests on the court and the Constitutional Court, if even judicial rulings are denied, the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea cannot be maintained." He expressed concern, stating, "We stand at a crossroads whether to restore the constitutional order of liberal democracy and move forward into the future, or to become a lawless land where the rule of law collapses and riots and uprisings run rampant."

Ahn emphasized, "In such a crisis, we must ultimately take the constitution and the rule of law as the milestones for problem-solving," and added, "We must firmly reject any behavior that undermines the rule of law or incites agitation for political gain."

Regarding the issuance of the arrest warrant for President Yoon, he said, "It clearly shows that the sitting president is not a monarch above the constitution but a president under the constitution," and added, "Even a monarchic president under the 1987 constitutional system is subject to the execution of arrest and detention warrants according to the constitution and the rule of law."

Ahn also stated that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, cannot be an exception to the rule of law. Criticizing Lee's delay tactics in his trial, he said, "The judiciary must complete the second trial of Lee Jae-myung regarding the Public Official Election Act by February 15 in accordance with the rule of law."

Furthermore, he called for national unity. He said, "Our Republic of Korea is divided in public opinion and is effectively in a psychological state of civil war," and added, "The political sphere should focus on stabilizing state affairs rather than fostering division." Regarding the Democratic Party, he urged, "They must immediately stop their reckless arrogance and divisiveness." He also appealed to his own party, the People Power Party, saying, "We must accept this court ruling and firmly sever ties with some radical forces who incited riots to protect conservative values."

Regarding President Yoon, he said, "Although detained, he is still the president representing the people and has the responsibility to uphold the constitution," and earnestly requested, "Please consider the people's desire for national stability and guide your supporters to remain calm."