| President Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition, gives a briefing on ‘Korea changing into a digital platform government’ at the Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 2nd. 2022.5.2/News1 © News1 Photo Reporters Group |
Attention is focused on whether Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, will run for the by-election for the National Assembly in Bundangap, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. While changes are being sensed in the atmosphere of Chairman Ahn, who has drawn the line in his candidacy so far, the possibility of strategic nominations is being raised by some in the party.
According to the opposition on the 3rd, it is evaluated that Chairman Ahn’s decision to run for Bundangap is imminent. People’s Power is accepting applications for nominations in the by-election until today. Accordingly, it is expected that Chairman Ahn can decide whether or not to apply for nomination during the day.
Chairman Ahn had previously drawn a line from running for Bundangap. He stated that he would focus on the transition committee ahead of the new government’s inauguration. However, this trend has recently changed.
Chairman Ahn responded to a reporter’s question after briefing the Digital Platform Government TF the day before (the 2nd), saying, “Tomorrow, there is a public presentation of the results of the transition committee, and I will announce it.” In the meantime, the atmosphere is quite different from what he said, “I’m not thinking at all. I don’t have time to think.”
The reason behind the change in Chairman Ahn’s position is that the time has come for a new political decision to be made. As the transition chairperson, he has been working on the sketch of the next government operation, but after the announcement of the state task on that day, the transition committee activity will come to an end.
If the power of the people reported to the National Election Commission the day before and the unity of the People’s Party is decided on that day, the title of representative of the People’s Party will also be lost. The political brand ‘Ahn Cheol-soo’ can continue, but it is time to find a new way to maintain political influence.
Chairman Ahn’s personnel met with reporters the day before and said, “(Chairman Ahn) declared his will a long time ago to help in the Gyeonggi election, but he had no worries about what position he should take and what he should do.” “He said. He said, “I will consider whether an efficient support method is necessary, including going out in person.”
The support movement from the side of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is also detected. As it is reported that the elected chief of staff Jang Je-won met with Chairman Ahn on the 1st and talked about his candidacy for Bundang-gap, there are speculations that President-elect Yoon wants Ahn to run for office.
It is also evaluated as having great political symbolism. Gyeonggi-do is the vegetable garden of former Gyeonggi governor Lee Jae-myung, whom Yun met in the last presidential election. Among them, Seongnam City is also the place where Lee’s political career began.
AhnLab, founded by Chairman Ahn, is located in Bundanggap, and the by-election created by former lawmaker Eun-hye Kim, who was a spokesperson for the elected President of the Republic of Korea and who is evaluated as a good person, is running for governor of Gyeonggi Province. is evaluated
At the same time, there are also observations that a synergistic effect between Chairman Ahn and former Rep. Kim could have a positive impact on the entire Gyeonggi Province.
Some are raising the possibility of Ahn’s strategic nomination. In the current Bundangap area, former lawmaker Park Min-sik, a former prosecutor in the special department and also a special adviser to President-elect Yoon, cast a vote to vote, and People’s Power Representative Lee Jun-seok opposes the strategic nomination, saying, “We do not burn flower pots.”
However, it is analyzed that the strategic nomination can actually be made according to the decision of the government official committee, as the final decision on the strategic nomination is made by the government official committee.
An official from People’s Power said, “(Chairman Ahn) must apply himself. The will of the person comes first.”