Ahn Cheol-soo: "Even if 90% of our thoughts differ, if 'Lee Jae-myung cannot be president,' then he is on our side"

Ahn Cheol-soo Visits People Power Party Daegu Office on the 12th
"We Must Truly Prevent Lee Jae-myung from Becoming President"
"President Should Issue a Message Accepting the Constitutional Court's Ruling"

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party and considered a presidential contender within the ruling party during the impeachment crisis of President Yoon Suk-yeol, asserted, "Even if we differ on nine issues, if we share the belief that Lee Jae-myung must not become president, we need to unite and surpass 50% to win." On the 12th, Ahn visited the People Power Party Daegu City Office in Beomeo-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu, and said, "We really must prevent Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, from becoming president."

Ahn Cheol-soo, People Power Party member. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At a party member meeting that day, Ahn said, "We cannot win if only those with very strong opinions unite tightly. I sincerely hope people will gather on our side as long as they share the belief that Lee Jae-myung must not become president."

He also told reporters, "Even if the Supreme Court ruling does not come out, Lee Jae-myung should not run for president if he is found guilty in the second trial," adding, "Asking voters to choose while it is unclear whether he is guilty or innocent between the second and third trials (Supreme Court ruling) is neither fair to voters nor consistent with the basic principles of democracy."

Ahn stated, "If an early presidential election is held, conservative supporters will reorganize around who can win and who can prevent Lee Jae-myung from becoming president," and added, "I am confident."

Regarding his earlier support for the National Assembly's impeachment motion against President Yoon under the emergency martial law of December 3, he explained, "I had no choice but to support it because I judged it did not align with the constitutional provisions at the time," and said, "Martial law can be imposed only during war, armed rebellion, or a comparable national emergency according to the constitution, and by my common sense, I judged that the situation then was not at that level."

On the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon's impeachment trial, he urged, "Please soothe the people with a message of accepting the Constitutional Court's decision and take steps toward unity and harmony." He emphasized, "The greatest fear is the possibility of clashes and bloodshed among citizens with differing opinions, and the only person who can prevent that is the president."