Urges Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party to Join Constitutional Amendment
Effectively Announces Presidential Bid at the National Assembly on the 23rd
People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's final statement in the impeachment trial, saying, "President Yoon did not express his intention to abide by or accept any decision of the Constitutional Court," and added, "We expected a strong message of unity and reconciliation to heal the division and conflict among the people, but there was none." On the 26th, Ahn posted on his social media service (SNS) a message titled 'Reflecting on the history of democracy and moving toward the predetermined future,' expressing these views. He continued, "The declaration to pursue a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term if the impeachment is dismissed stands out," and wrote, "We hope the Democratic Party and its leader Lee Jae-myung will join in the constitutional amendment."
Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol's final statement in the impeachment trial on the 26th, saying, "President Yoon did not express his intention to abide by or accept any decision of the Constitutional Court," and added, "We expected a strong message of unity and reconciliation to heal the division and conflict among the people, but there was none." Photo by Kim Hyun-min
He also stated, "Through the emergency martial law on December 3 and the impeachment trial, South Korea is facing severe internal and external chaos and a crisis as if on the edge of a cliff," and argued, "We must reflect on the history of democracy and the people and prepare for the predetermined future." Furthermore, Ahn added, "There must be no greater confusion," and said, "We must heal the national wounds. The people are the lake, and the people are the sea."
Earlier, on the 23rd, Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly, effectively declaring his bid for the presidency. On that day, he emphasized, "South Korean politics has become so polarized by ideological conflicts, regional, generational, gender, and factional divisions that it has driven the people into fear," and said, "We must change politics to achieve generational integration, and end politics of threats, pressure, and conflict." He went on to say, "We need fundamental social and political reforms that have been halted since Presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung," and added, "We must carry out revolutionary reforms to return politics to serving and being devoted to the people."
Also mentioning constitutional amendment as a way to restore politics, Ahn proposed, "The most important task of this era change is political change," and said, "We must go beyond the imperial presidency by reducing presidential powers, and also reduce the legislative power and privileges of the National Assembly," suggesting, "The election law should be revised to a medium- or large-multi-member district system." Finally, Ahn emphasized, "We must transition to an era where the will of the people leads through the reduction of legislative and executive powers," and added, "We must shift to an era of vitality led by the private sector."
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