Ahn Cheol-soo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, officially declared his candidacy for party leader. Ahn, who opposed former President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law and supported impeachment, criticized the Lee Jae-myung government's runaway actions, stating that he revealed the request for attendance from the Special Investigation (Special Investigator). He emphasized that he would lead the innovation of the People Power Party if elected as the party leader.
On the afternoon of the 29th, Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "The reason I stood here today is to firmly confront the tyrannical political runaway of the Lee Jae-myung regime," adding, "I hope that the reckless political investigation and oppression of the opposition party will cease immediately."
That day, Ahn held a press conference in front of a symbolic stone inscribed with 'The Last Bastion of Democracy, the National Assembly of Korea,' which was erected on the 17th during the Constitution Day commemoration. During the conference, he showed reporters a message containing the request for attendance for the investigation from the Special Inquiry.
Ahn stated, "The Special Investigator asked me to attend, saying that there is an investigation regarding insurrection. Even I, who opposed martial law and supported impeachment, received such a message," adding, "It is outrageous. This is an attempt to label the entire People Power Party as an insurrection party."
He emphasized, "The Special Investigator is losing sight of the essence. Now it has become an accomplice of the regime, trampling on democracy and the rule of law," adding, "As the candidates for the Democratic Party's chairmanship claim, this intention to dissolve our party is evident."
Ahn also remarked, "If the Democratic Party is this tyrannical, who could possibly protect the People Power Party properly, who would be flawless?" He continued, "I am running for the People Power Party chairmanship today. I will innovate the party and protect the People Power Party."
He further stated, "I aim to be a representative who can stand by the party members even after everyone has left, someone who ultimately becomes the innovative party leader and innovates internally while opposing the political runaway of the Lee Jae-myung Democratic Party outside," adding, "I will focus solely on the people, the constitution, and the reconstruction of conservatism."
Ahn viewed the Special Investigator's request for attendance as an attempt to induce so-called 'whistleblowing.' He mentioned that he has no intention of cooperating with the Special Investigator's attempt to pry into allegations against the People Power Party.
After the press conference, Ahn met with reporters and said, "(The Special Investigator) must be trying to inquire about any suspicious actions from our party, thinking you have done nothing wrong," adding, "If the purpose is to inquire about any wrongdoing, I have no intention of attending and cooperating with that."
He pointed out, "The media has thoroughly covered my activities, and all reports about my activities have already been published by the hour," adding, "I suspect that they are calling me not to uncover the truth but rather to find any evidence to label the People Power Party as an insurrection party."