Who will join hands with Ahn?

By Jun Ji-hye

Who will join hands with independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo is emerging as a big question because he is gathering support from within both conservative and liberal parties.

Chung Ki-nam, the former deputy campaign manager from Ahn’s presidential campaign office, said, “There is no reason why Ahn should not recruit figures from the ruling party. It is amateurism to maintain distance from them simply because they are conservative politicians.”

There is speculation that six former lawmakers from the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), who created a study group dubbed the “Six Member Meeting,” are among Ahn’s favored choices.

The six are: Kim Sung-sik, Chung Tae-geun and Hong Jung-wook who previously served as ruling party lawmakers, and Kim Boo-kyum, Jeong Jang-seon and Kim Young-choon from the DP.

Former lawmaker Kim Sung-sik was in charge of Ahn’s campaign strategy team in the run-up to the presidential poll last year.

Some political analysts say that the names have been proposed as potential members of Ahn’s new political party without knowing whether the six intend to join.

“Those figures do not have a strong reputation for sticking to political lines. When they were members of the National Assembly, they made somewhat different moves from other politicians. In terms of public perception, this is in line with the ‘new politics’ that Ahn has pursued,” said Bae Jong-chan, director of the department of social research at Research & Research.

Bae said the fact that the six former legislators attempted to break away from their regions to serve in the capital area could be another big attraction.

“Plus, if they run in the October by-elections, there is a great possibility that they will be elected. This raises public expectations that these figures will resume their political careers with Ahn,” said Bae.

Political analyst Hwang Jang-soo agreed in part with Bae. He said in an appearance on a cable TV program, “Their political characters are very similar to Ahn’s_ politically moderate. In my opinion, although they are taking a wait-and-see position for now, they will eventually join hands with Ahn if the brand-new politician displays appropriate leadership.”

Former lawmaker Jeong denied speculation that Six Member Meeting members will join Ahn’s new party, saying “We have not discussed anything about Ahn.”

Sohn Hak-kyu factor

Speculation that Ahn will combine forces with DP adviser Sohn Hak-kyu has also been rife since the presidential poll period because the two engaged in private talks shortly after Ahn withdrew his bid.

The speculation gained further momentum last week after Ahn recruited Choi Jang-jip, an honorary professor of Korea University, in his policy think tank “Naeil,” which means tomorrow. Choi has served as chief of the supporters' association for Sohn.

However, even Ahn’s people showed differences regarding such expectations.

Independent lawmaker Song Ho-chang, a close confidant of Ahn’s who previously belonged to the DP, said such interpretation is too much, while Chung Yeon-jung, a professor at Pai chai university, said it is a “very rational and relevant” idea.

Sohn attempted to draw a line under the speculation, saying that the DP’s crisis should be resolved within the party. It is not the time to look elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Ahn on Tuesday expressed willingness to make labor issues a political priority after media reported professor Choi as saying that Ahn’s new party will mainly focus on labor matters and pursue progressive values.