◀ anchor ▶
Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party officially proposed unifying the opposition candidates through an opinion poll immediately after candidate registration.
Before the official election, a variable called ‘unification of candidates’ came to the fore.
Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol expressed his displeasure, saying, “I will think about it, but there is something I regret.”
Correspondent Choi Kyung-jae.
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As soon as candidate Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party finished registering as an official candidate, he presented a ‘unification’ card to candidate Yoon Seok-yeol of People’s Power.
Candidate Ahn, who had a non-face-to-face interview due to his wife’s corona virus, proposed unification through a public opinion poll on the grounds of ‘end of the old regime and change of government’.
[안철수/국민의당 대선후보]
“A single candidate is selected through public opinion polls and national primary, and no matter who becomes the candidate, if they become each other’s running mates, an overwhelming victory can be achieved.”
Candidate Ahn explained the reason for changing the existing position of ‘there is no unification’ as follows.
[안철수/국민의당 대선후보]
“Even if you keep saying ‘I’m going to finish’ like that, you’re really tenaciously trying to stick with a single tail…”
If discussion cannot be avoided, he will preemptively present the desired method and pass the ball.
People’s Power Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol did not hide his negative reaction to the poll method, although the proposal itself was positive.
[윤석열/국민의힘 대선후보]
“I’ve heard about the polls, and I’ll think about it, but I’m a little disappointed.”
The People’s Power predecessor headquarters also urged “Candidate Ahn’s decision”, saying, “There is a risk that Candidate Ahn’s method goes against the people’s demands for regime change.”
If you do a poll, you are asking for the resignation of candidate Ahn, who has low support, as there is a high possibility that the supporters of the passport will be adversely selected.
People’s Power Representative Lee Jun-seok wrote on his social media account, “I did it again and again,” along with a photo of Son Goku in the palm of the Buddha’s hand, and directly pressured Ahn’s resignation.
[이준석/국민의힘 대표]
“If Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo abandons the candidacy and declares support for our candidate, there is no reason to refuse…”
However, in a situation where the possibility of Ahn’s resignation is slim, another party atmosphere that the discussion of unification is inevitable could be a burden on Candidate Yoon.
Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung criticized the debate around the unification of the opposition, saying, “Now is the time to take care of the people’s livelihood.”
However, Candidate Lee continued to leave open the possibility of solidarity with Candidate Ahn, such as comforting Ahn’s wife and emphasizing the idea of a post-camp unified government.
This is Kyungjae Choi from MBC News.
Video coverage: Jaehyun Jang/Video editing: Philosophy Moon
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