Ahn Cheol-soo, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, criticized on the 21st, saying, "If a candidate opposing impeachment is chosen as our party's presidential candidate, the election is doomed to fail," and added, "Please, have some shame in front of the people."
Ahn said during an urgent press conference held at the People Power Party's Daegu City Party meeting room, "The election is only 47 days away," and added, "However, our party's situation is more desperate than ever."
The People Power Party will narrow down the four candidates who will enter the second primary through a public opinion poll of 100% by the 22nd. With Kim Moon-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo expected to make the final four, there is interest in who among Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo will advance.
Ahn also criticized Na Kyung-won, who is expected to compete for the final candidate position in the People Power Party's first cut-off, saying, "The former president, Yoon, told her to run in the election and then, as the debate became unfavorable, asked her not to mention him; one can't be so hypocritical to this extent, swallowing sweet things and spitting out bitter ones."
Ahn continued, "The person who shouted 'dismissal of impeachment' at the Constitutional Court is being remembered by party members for jumping into the presidential race as soon as impeachment was accepted. How does one justify such words and actions now? It is the height of shamelessness."
He also pointed out regarding Kim Moon-soo, "The person who served as a minister in the Yoon administration and effectively supported the state of emergency entered the presidential race without a single apology after the Constitutional Court declared it unconstitutional, and isn't it shameful to seek the people's vote while maintaining that position, which threatened democracy under the guise of a national emergency?"
Ahn also directed criticism at Hong Joon-pyo. He said, "The person who once stated that a party that was impeached should forfeit the next presidential election is now running as a candidate, as if waiting for the opportunity. If one supports the state of emergency and opposes impeachment, then they should continue down that path; why run for president? How can one be so bold without reflecting on their contradictory political behavior?"
Ahn stated regarding Han Dong-hoon, "If a political novice, who has never run a campaign, becomes the banner of the party after serving as minister and chair of the emergency committee under the former president Yoon's influence, the public will criticize, asking, 'Is this yet another inexperienced prosecutor in politics?'"
He added, "All these candidates will only be Lee Jae-myung's delicious prey, a comprehensive gift set, and they are people who would hand the country over to Lee Jae-myung; they are filled with thirst for power and personal desires, people who would decimate conservatism."