 Ahn Cheol-soo, an entrepreneur-turned-professor, declares his independent candidacy for the Dec. 19 presidential election under the slogan, “A new change driven by the people begins,” in a press conference held at the Salvation Army Art Hall in Chungjeongno, downtown Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap |
Software millionaire leaves door open for alliance; calls for people power
By Lee Tae-hoon
Ahn Cheol-soo, an entrepreneur-turned-professor, declared Wednesday he would run for the Dec. 19 presidential election as an independent, putting an end to months of vacillation.
“The people have thus far expressed wishes to achieve political reform through me,” he said in a press conference held at the Salvation Army Art Hall, downtown Seoul.
“I'll run for president to realize their desire.”
The doctor-turned-scholar said he may lack experience, but has the ability to stay clear of "old time politics" and run the administration in a more transparent manner than any other established politician.
“As I’m not in political debt, I will never distribute public posts as the spoils of the election,” he said, adding that he will respect the wishes of the people.
The 50-year-old said he would resign as dean of the Graduate School of Science Technology and Convergence at Seoul National University (SNU) and chairman of the board of AhnLab, an IT company that he founded in 1995.
His high-profile political debut has made the presidential contest a three-way race against Rep. Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP), and Rep. Park Geun-hye, the candidate of the ruling Saenuri Party.
When asked about the possibility of discussing a unified single opposition candidate with Moon, he declined to give a direct answer. Rather, he stressed the need for the existing political parties to bring about genuine change and innovation.
“It is not appropriate to discuss the matter at this point,” he said.
However, the independent candidate did not rule out the possibility of forming an opposition alliance or dropping out of the race to avoid splitting the liberal vote, which would help Park clinch a victory in the upcoming presidential poll.
“I can assure you that I will not disappoint the people who want real change,” Ahn said. He noted his future political moves will depend on existing political parties’ commitment to undertake reform.
The political novice also proposed to his two rivals that they meet together at an early date.
"I call on Moon and Park for all of us to meet and pledge a competition based on goodwill and policies,” he said.
“How about promising that the winner of the presidential race listens to the advice of the losers and all agree to work together for the advancement of the country?”
He argued that negative campaigning that has been pervasive in Korean elections is the main cause of social schisms that have hampered the elected person from properly performing his or her duties.
Ahn has already been suffering from negative political campaigning, including allegations of irregularities in the issuance of corporate bonds and claims of bribe-taking during AhnLab's growth period.
He said that he will donate the remaining half of his stocks in AhnLab, the country’s biggest antivirus software firm, if elected president.
He donated half his shares in the firm worth 150 billion won ($133 million) early this year in order to launch a charity aimed at helping educate children from low-income families.
The move fuelled speculation that he was attempting to solidify his support base prior to his imminent political debut.
Ahn added the country's economic structure must be restructured to alleviate the suffering of ordinary people.
"The country needs a new economic model that encompasses calls for economic democratization, expanded welfare and striving for sustainable growth."
He said he refrained from revealing his political plans as he wanted to make a decision after comprehensively hearing the views of the people.
“From now on I will notify my schedule to the media and promptly answer their questions,” he said.
He wrapped up his speech with a quote from William Gibson, a science fiction writer: “The future has already arrived _ it’s just not very evenly distributed yet.”
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