Ahn Cheolsoo: "People Power Party Is Not a Party of Insurrection... I Will Become Party Leader to Prevent Dissolution"

Ahn Cheolsoo Announces Bid for Party Leadership at National Assembly
"Received Summons from Special Prosecutor Despite Opposing Martial Law"
"Will Rebuild Conservatism as an Innovative Party Leader"

On July 29, Ahn Cheolsoo, a member of the People Power Party, declared his candidacy for party leadership, stating, "I will prevent the dissolution of the People Power Party."

On this day, Ahn held a press conference in front of the National Assembly's main gate, in front of the National Assembly marker inscribed with "The Last Bastion of Democracy, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea," to announce his bid for party leadership. At the event, he revealed, "The special prosecutor demanded my appearance, claiming there is an investigation into insurrection," and added, "They even sent such a message to me, who opposed martial law and supported impeachment."

Regarding this, he stated, "This is an attempt to label the entire People Power Party as a party of insurrection," and added, "It is a political outrage aimed at dissolving our party. As the Democratic Party's leadership candidates have argued, it is clear that their intention is to dissolve our party."

Ahn warned, "I urge an immediate halt to reckless political investigations and oppression of the opposition. If this warning is ignored, there will inevitably be a stern judgment from the people."

Yonhap News Agency

Referring to his past support for the special prosecutor on insurrection, he criticized, "The current special prosecutor has lost its essence. It has now become a tool of the administration, trampling on democracy and the rule of law."

Ahn emphasized, "The People Power Party is not a party of insurrection," and posed the question, "With the Democratic Party acting so ruthlessly, who can truly protect the People Power Party, who is truly blameless? Is it candidate Kim Moonsoo, who is aligned with extremist forces?"

He continued, "A leader untouched by martial law, a leader who does not chant 'Yoon Again,' a leader who can defeat the Democratic Party in local elections. Even after everyone else has left, a leader who can remain by the side of party members as the last person standing. I will become an innovative party leader, driving innovation internally and confronting Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party's political rampage externally," pledging, "I will move forward with only the people, the Constitution, and the reconstruction of conservatism in mind."