hankyoreh

After months of uncertainty, Ahn Cheol-soo announced on Sept. 19 that he will run for South Korea’s presidency in the December 19 election. As of now that contest is a three way race between Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party (DUP) and Park Guen-hye of the New Frontier Party (NFP).

There is some expectation that Ahn and Moon will agree on a single opposition candidate; the next question is how that candidate will be chosen. Ahn is approaching that topic cautiously, saying, “It is not proper to discuss the matter of single candidate at this moment.”

He announced his plans at a press conference held in the Salvation Army Art Hall in Seoul, where he said, “The public have expressed their desire for political change by showing their faith in me” and “I now would like to make their desire become reality by running for the 18th presidency of South Korea. I shall no longer avoid the challenges of this age, but face and attempt to solve them.” When he made his declaration, the large crowd replied with cheers and applause.

Ahn discussed the variety of people he met since he published his book “Ahn Cheol-soo’s Thoughts” in July, including Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and Seoul National University emeritus professor Paek Nak-cheong.

“I met an old gentleman in Chuncheon, a middle-aged man who was about to retire, a mother of twins as well as professionals and veterans from each area of our society. Despite their social diversity, what they had to say was the same. They all felt worse-off. The middle-class is collapsing and the low-income group is under great pressure, too. Even so, they showed no signs of giving up on their dreams. In contrast to what I originally expected, I received a great amount of hope and courage from them.”

He also talked about the long days before he finally made his decision to enter the race. “I wondered ‘Can I really do any than those who are already experienced and established in politics?’ Many of you have given me good support for fine reasons. They wanted new politics with a new start, and believed I could make it. But I had to think about my capabilities again. A leader of a country cannot be and in fact should never be a position for an individual’s pride and honor. To win the presidency is not important at all unless one can do it well. Therefore, I kept asking questions to myself, and talking with others to find the answer to it.

Ahn continued, “Korea is experiencing a confrontation between the old system and future values. The old system must be changed for a better future. The old political system that is neglected by the public, the old economic system that exaggerates the polarization of the wealth and fails to create new jobs, the old social system that blocks the class mobility, the old structure that exists only to protect the privileged and blocks fair opportunity, and the old decision-making system against the trend of the IT world. It is these old systems that stop us from pursuing a new future.”

He also continued, “Politics have to change first, if you want your life to be changed. Only the new politics can take care of the public’s interests. Korea is need of a new economic model. Korea needs economic reform. Korea’s democratization of the economy and welfare need to be combined with a new growth engine. Like so, the balance is important between security and peace when it comes a better future on the Korean peninsula.

Regarding his move previously, he commented, “The public all shared the same view that they never wanted such politics like now. Rather, they showed their desire for different and fresh news to be heard from politics.” The news, he explained, should start from the race for the presidency

He described it as hypocrisy to call a process integration when it actually leaves a half of a nation’s people antagonized. The substandard black-and-white negative propaganda and mudslinging shall do nothing but only lead to greater public anger.

“If this continues, the next 5 years will only be a mix of division and hatred. Whoever becomes the next president, there seems to be a long way for social integration and solving social problems.”

“If I am selected, I surely will listen to them and accept their ideas. I believe this is what the public so longed to see: the politics of integration.”

He hopes for a cordial policy debate between him and the other candidates, Park and Moon. “If they [Park and Moon] could come together and promise a fair policy debate throughout the campaign? If the winner could listen attentively to the others even after the election, and the losers contribute to a better future, we can surely overcome the old hatred politics and change it for our future.

At the press conference were Ahn’s spoke-person, Yoo Min-young, and a group of close associates including Guem Tae-seop, Kang In-cheol, Jo Kwang-heui. In contrast, there were no political figures seen in attendance.

The Salvation Army’s Art Hall was crowded with reporters and supporters hours before the conference started. Many TV and radio vans were parked in a line along the street, and signs like “Words to the public” and “Ahn Cheol-soo Press Conference” hung in the entrance. A group of his supporters had lined up early that morning to make sure they would be admitted.

Previously, Ahn made a remark on Sept. 11 that he would announce his plans for the election a few days after the DUP candidate was chosen. He announced the time and location of the press conference on Sept. 17 and said, “I would like to explain my thoughts and plans to the public, and answer reporters’ questions.”

He finished his presentation by quoting William Gibson, an American-Canadian novelist, “The future has already arrived. It's just not evenly distributed yet”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]