"I Am Also a Responsible Member of the People Power Party"... Kim Mikyung, Wife of Ahn Cheolsoo, Appeals for Support for Her Husband

"We Must Choose a Game-Changer"
"AhnLab's Growth... A Person Who Makes the Impossible Possible"

Ahead of the selection of the People Power Party's presidential candidate, Kim Mikyung, a professor at Seoul National University and wife of Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo, appealed for support for her husband, who is running in the party primary.

On the 27th, Assemblyman Ahn shared a lengthy post on Facebook, stating, "This is a message my wife posted on social media (SNS)." Professor Kim began by saying, "I am also a responsible member of the People Power Party," and added, "This is the first time I have joined the party as a member in the 12 years since my husband entered politics."

Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo and his wife, Professor Kim Mikyung. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Before joining the People Power Party, Assemblyman Ahn was previously affiliated with the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, the Bareunmirae Party, and the People's Party. Professor Kim explained that the reason she is taking such active steps, including emphasizing her party membership, is "because this primary is that crucial to me and to all of us."

She went on to stress that Assemblyman Ahn is the only People Power Party candidate capable of facing Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung. Professor Kim asserted, "This is not a normal situation, as the presidential election is being held due to the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol," and emphasized, "If we choose the (presidential) candidate in the usual, familiar way, we will never win this time."

She appealed, "We must stake everything on all possibilities and choose a candidate who can be a game-changer." Referring to Assemblyman Ahn, who founded AhnLab with seven employees 30 years ago and grew it into a mid-sized company, she praised him as "someone who makes the impossible possible."

Regarding candidate Lee, who is leading overwhelmingly in various opinion polls, she said, "Elections are ultimately about momentum," and warned, "Even support rates that appear stable on the surface can collapse in the face of a last-minute surge." She also mentioned that, three years ago in the presidential election, Assemblyman Ahn, then the People's Party candidate, contributed to the victory by forming a last-minute alliance with then People Power Party candidate Yoon. She emphasized, "He (Ahn) gave up his insistence on a third political force and prevented Lee Jaemyung from becoming president."

The People Power Party is holding its second primary vote to narrow down the candidates to two, applying a 50% party member vote and a 50% public opinion poll for the four candidates who advanced to the second round (Kim Moonsoo, Ahn Cheolsoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Joonpyo), from the previous day until the 28th. While the first round was based 100% on public opinion polling, the second round consists of 50% party member votes and 50% public opinion polls. If a candidate receives a majority, they will be confirmed as the party's presidential candidate. If not, a runoff between the first and second place candidates will be held on the 3rd of next month to determine the final candidate.