Ahn criticizes Park’s father

By Lee Tae-hoon

Ahn Cheol-soo, who officially declared his presidential candidacy Wednesday, heaped criticism on the authoritarian rule of late President Park Chung-hee, which lasted from 1961 through 1979, Thursday.

“A privatization of power that overrides the law and procedures cannot be justified for any reason," the IT mogul-turned-politician wrote on his camp’s official Facebook page after paying a visit to the grave of the late Park.

Political watchers say Ahn’s comments are intended to make a dent in the campaign of close rival candidate, Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party, who has been under criticism for “supporting” the legitimacy of her father’s rule.

"The Park Chung-hee era laid the foundation of our industrialization, but this led to suffering and the sacrifice of too many people, including workers and farmers," Ahn wrote.

"We need to reflect on the past because we stand at a crossroads between moving forward into a new future by overcoming the dark legacies of the industrialization era or retreating backward."

Keum Tae-seop, a lawyer and close associate of Ahn, said that the independent candidate could join the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) if the liberal party commits to genuine change, a close associate of the software millionaire said, Thursday.

He noted that the door is still open for the 50-year-old novice politician to seek a political affiliation in a radio program.

Asked what preconditions would prompt Ahn to agree to a unified candidacy, Keum answered, “The situation can change if there is a consensus among the people.”

Keum added that, if the DUP regains the public’s trust, Ahn would not only consider forming a unified liberal front, but also signing up for party membership.

A day earlier, Ahn avoided mentioning the possibility of a political alliance with an established party as he declared his presidential bid as an independent.

“It is not appropriate to discuss the matter at this point,” Ahn said.

However, some political observers believe he hinted that he might join a political party when he said, “I don’t believe that I can solve all problems or change the world by myself.”

Nevertheless, Keum suggested that it would be highly unlikely for Ahn to jump start negotiations for the possible creation of a unified front with the DUP.

“Discussing a candidacy merger prior to a reform of the DUP will be against the will of the people,” he said.

Moon Jae-in, the DUP candidate, said there was no need to urge Ahn to form an alliance with the DUP, saying he is confident that he can defeat both the independent and ruling party hopeful Park Geun-hye in the Dec. 19 election.

The human rights lawyer-turned-politician said there is currently no need to press Ahn to come to the negotiation table in order to discuss ways of fielding a single opposition candidate.

Moon said he would never have announced his bid to seek the presidency if he did not think he could win.

“The longer the race, the more favorable our position becomes and if the party is able to make changes (to meet public expectations), there is every reason to believe that a DUP candidate will win any arrangement to field a unified (opposition) candidate,” he said.

“All DUP lawmakers must be confident of victory, be united under a single cause and have trust in me.”

Ahn's bid for the presidency has turned the presidential election into a three-way race with Moon also competing against Park.