These days, attention in politics is focused on the "mouth" of People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo. That is because he has been issuing a series of "hardline remarks" toward President Lee Jae-myung and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon. It is a big departure from his past political style. Some say, "Is Ahn trying to appeal to hardline supporters with the People Power Party convention in February next year in mind?"
On the 15th, Ahn posted on Facebook an article titled, "Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, when you launch a party, please exclude the pro-Han 'Yeouido wreckers.'" Ahn wrote, "As long as wreckers who tout being 'pro-Han' continue to be stationed around Han, the 'han (resentment)' of those who were bitten and scratched by them will topple 'Han (Dong-hoon).'"
Earlier, on the 9th, at the trial of Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho (People Power Party floor leader at the time of martial law), Ahn testified that during the Dec. 3 emergency martial law, "the first person to notify People Power Party lawmakers to gather at party headquarters rather than the National Assembly was Han Dong-hoon, who was then the party leader."
After Han said it was a "distortion of the facts," Ahn has been posting attacks on Han almost daily for a week. He also held a press conference saying he opposes Han's rejoining the People Power Party. Then he lumped pro-Han lawmakers together and criticized them as "Yeouido wreckers."
Ahn is also continuing strong criticism of President Lee Jae-myung. Criticizing KB Kookmin Bank for reducing the loan limit for dwellings, he posted that it should change its signboard to "JM Jaemyung Bank." He also mentioned the KOSDAQ forced liquidation issue and said, "The Lee Jae-myung administration will also be force-liquidated by the people and liquidated."
In political circles, Ahn's recent moves are seen as a gambit to run for party leader at the next convention. Inside and outside the People Power Party, a scenario is gaining traction that leader Jang Dong-hyeok will step down early in February next year and a convention will be held. The context is that Jang would be elected at the February convention as a leader with a two-year term and seek to hold the nomination power for the next general election.
Ahn is also cited as a strong contender who could run in the next convention. However, since Ahn entered the party when the People's Party merged with the People Power Party, he is seen as having a relatively weak support base within the party. To become party leader, he may need extraordinary measures to secure a supporter base. Accordingly, some say he is drawing a line against lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who was expelled after controversy over the "party member bulletin board."
A senior lawmaker of the People Power Party said, "Judging by Ahn's current support base, he may advance to a party runoff, but winning the leadership looks difficult," adding, "It seems he is stepping up recent activities to make an impression on hardline party members."
There is also an analysis that if Ahn continues his offensive against Han and is tied together with leader Jang Dong-hyeok as one, it could be disadvantageous. A People Power Party official said, "If he takes a similar position to Jang to the point that people talk about an 'Ahn–Jang alliance (Ahn Cheol-soo and Jang Dong-hyeok),' won't Ahn's unique strengths disappear?"