Ahn makes debut at Assembly

By Jun Ji-hye

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo at National Assembly

Ahn Cheol-soo made his debut at the National Assembly, Friday. The software mogul-turned-politician gave the longest speech among three lawmakers elected in Wednesday’s by-elections.

“Elections are a process in which politicians and voters make promises. I will do my best to fulfill those promises and create meaningful results,” Ahn said at the plenary session of the Assembly.

The brand-new lawmaker said he will courteously listen to other legislators from both ruling and opposition parties and ask them for help when needed.

He appeared to be tense during the session as if assessing tough challenges that lie ahead.

Some analysts question Ahn’s ability to make good on his pledge to become a meaningful force to reform politics.

Hong Hyung-sik, director of Hangil Research and Consulting, said Ahn’s activities in parliament as an independent lawmaker will inevitably be limited.

“An individual can propose bills, but does not have power to pass them because party support is definitely needed in this process,” he said.

Hong said Ahn’s lawmaking activities will likely stop at the proposal stage.

“What Ahn can do for now is just promote himself by proposing innovative bills, but I doubt if he will be able to legislate them into laws. This will pressure him either to launch a political party or join with existing parties,” he said.

Hong claimed neither option would be easy.

“The situation in the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) has become worse than before the Dec. 19 presidential election. It does not seem to be effective at all to enter the party now,” he said.

He said, although many believe that the former Seoul National University professor will create a new political party, it is not an easy task given that at least five to 10 lawmakers are needed to form a functioning party.

“Formation of a new party is not something somebody can do alone,” he said.

How to build relations with the DUP is another matter Ahn has to solve because the main opposition party has already started holding him in check.

Rep. Kim Han-gil, a leading chairman hopeful of the DUP, said, “If he establishes his own party and goes his own way, the ruling Saenuri Party will thank him most.”

Rep. Park Ki-choon, the DUP floor leader, also pressured Ahn, saying, “The split of the opposition side will only disappoint the public.”

Additionally, Ahn will have to respond to increasing calls for identifying what his “new politics” consist of.

“His speeches stressing new politics so far have been in the ambiguous area. If he fails to specify these at the earliest possible date, the public expectation surrounding him will fade away soon,” said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University.