Ahn Cheol-soo declares his candidacy for the People Power Party leadership election.

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the National Assembly, has expressed a strong stance against candidate Kim Moon-soo in the upcoming People Power Party leadership election.

Today (28th), Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "I will become the innovative party leader" and declared, "Instead of a scalpel, I will take a sword to rejuvenate the People Power Party."

In particular, Ahn fired a direct shot at Kim Moon-soo, saying, "The candidate who has caused extreme division and chaos within the party by reversing the unification agreement and handed the presidency to Lee Jae-myung should decide his own fate."

He presented two main principles for party innovation: 'cutting ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his spouse' and 'cutting ties with extreme factions.'

To realize these principles, he outlined five tasks: personnel renewal, amendment of party constitution and regulations, strengthening local party organizations, enhancing talent, and establishing a practical youth party within the party.

Proposal for personnel renewal and amendment of party regulations.

Regarding personnel renewal, Ahn asserted, "It is appropriate for the two individuals pointed out by the party audit and one individual who voluntarily requested an investigation to face disciplinary action from the ethics committee."

Earlier, the party's audit committee decided to refer a request for disciplinary action to the ethics committee, proposing a three-year suspension of party membership for former Emergency Response Committee Chair Lee Yong-soo and former National Election Commission Chair Lee Yang-soo concerning attempts to change the candidate in the last presidential election.

Additionally, then-Representative Kwon Seong-dong, who was the floor leader at the time, also requested, "I too ask to be subject to disciplinary action," expressing his dissent.

Ahn also pledged to establish a white paper compilation committee composed of external experts to document the actions taken during the martial law, impeachment, and the presidential election process, and stated, "We will take appropriate measures accordingly."

He stated that he would amend the party constitution and regulations, proposing that the preliminary election for party leader be conducted 100% through public opinion polls, and changing the current '8 party members 2 public' rule for the four-person race to a 5-5 split.

Additionally, he proposed to change the title of the Supreme Council to Vice Chair and to rename the Supreme Council meetings to meetings of the party leadership.

After the press conference, when asked by reporters about personnel renewal measures, he explained, "The presidential election white paper can be completed in three weeks at most, or two weeks at the shortest" and added, "Based on the white paper produced externally, appropriate actions will be taken."

Response plan for unification proposal and special prosecution investigation.

Regarding the suggestion of 'unification of innovative candidates' by lawmaker Jo Kyung-tae, who supported the impeachment of former President Yoon, Ahn stated, "If several people who raise innovative voices register as candidates, there can be a variety of voices. That would be more beneficial for innovation."

He added, "If there is a runoff, the unification of candidates can naturally occur through the voters," setting a boundary regarding unification.

Concerning the response plan to the special prosecution investigation targeted at People Power Party lawmakers, Ahn announced that "preventing the extension of the 170-day (special prosecution investigation) period is our primary goal."

He emphasized, "If I am elected as party leader, we will unite to surely block any investigation that is obviously seen as political oppression."

Image sources: Ahn Cheol-soo, People Power Party member / News1, Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor / News1, Ahn Cheol-soo’s announced two main principles and five tasks for the People Power Party’s innovation / News1.