hankyoreh

By Kim Won-chul, staff reporter

Independent presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo dismissed the notion of dropping out of the race.

Speaking with reporters on Nov. 19 after a Korean Advanced Farmers Federation debate at the KBS 88 Sports Center in Seoul’s Hwagok neighborhood, Ahn said, “While we could conceivably have a negotiation where we [Ahn and Democratic United Party candidate Moon Jae-in] meet to discuss things that aren’t getting resolved at the working level, there isn’t going to be any negotiation for a concession.”

Ahn also addressed Moon’s remarks about opening up the possibility for a new party made by Ahn to merge with the DUP.

“All we agreed on was developing peoples’ solidarity so that our support bases could be united,” he said. “We never talked about anything after that.”

Earlier, Ahn spoke about the decision on a final opposition candidate during a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club.

“The important thing in the selection process is to present people with a new face for politics, and asking for the consent and cooperation of both sides’ supporters and receiving their blessing,” he said.

“If we do that, we have a very strong chance of beating Park Geun-hye,” he added, referring to the Saenuri Party’s presidential candidate.

Ahn also made his first-ever remarks on the National Security Act at the press conference.

“It’s been some time now since the National Security Act was enacted,” he said. “At this point, we need to taking a cold, objective look at it. And if there is the potential for human rights concerns, then we obviously need to solicit the public’s approval to amend it.”

“The National Security Act is very much a sore spot in South Korea,” he continued. “Each new administration has brought its own approach and done some things, but there have been problems with doing so without the consent of the South Korean public.”

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