Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate for the People Power Party's presidential primary, noted on the 25th ahead of a debate with fellow party candidates, including Han Dong-hoon, "What did the party leader do for reform?" signaling a tough debate mode.
Ahn pointed out on Facebook that the previous day's 'match debate' between Han and Hong Joon-pyo was "a real sight to behold. Han has risen to the rank of our party's presidential candidate because he was a close aide to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and he was also a key figure in last election's defeat."
He further stated, "Becoming the party leader after the general election was due to the desperate hope of party members wanting reform," and asked, "What has the party leader done for reform? I believe there is nothing."
Ahn criticized Han, who emphasized his role in preventing a state of emergency during the 12.3 emergency martial law, saying, "Prevented a martial law? If the ruling party had properly communicated with the government, the idea of martial law would not have arisen in the first place. Please, find your conscience first."
He also targeted Han Duck-soo, who served as acting president during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, alongside Han and Kim Moon-soo. He said, "The people impeached the president. Naturally, the Yoon Suk-yeol cabinet was also impeached," adding, "However, members of that impeached cabinet are now stepping forward as major presidential candidates from our party." Ahn noted, "Now, the Democratic Party is trying to frame the election as 'Lee Jae-myung versus Yoon Suk-yeol.' Han is the most suitable opponent for this framework."
"The candidacy of those from the impeached cabinet is simply responding to Lee Jae-myung's strategy, akin to voluntarily putting their heads on the chopping block," he remarked.
Meanwhile, he added, "To prevent the era of Lee Jae-myung, Han should give up his candidacy, and Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon should make a decision."
Ahn emphasized, "Now we need to regain our rationality and choose a candidate who can truly defeat Lee Jae-myung," stating, "Only I can confront Lee Jae-myung." He noted, "In the last election, I made the decision to unify forces to prevent Lee Jae-myung from taking power," and added, "I have upheld my beliefs in the face of the Chae Sang-byeong incident, legislative conflicts, and impeachment matters."
Meanwhile, candidates Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo (in alphabetical order) from the People Power Party will participate in the second round of the primary, the 'four-way debate,' hosted by MBN in Jung-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon.