Leaders of opposition bloc meet to reaffirm merger willingness

Jun 17, 2021, 09:30 am

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Ahn Cheol-soo (L), chief of minor opposition People’s Party, meets with Lee Jun-seok, new chairman of the main opposition People Power Party, at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 16, 2021./ Photographed by Song Ui-joo (songuijoo@)

AsiaToday reporter Jo Jae-hak

Two leaders of the opposition bloc met Wednesday to reaffirm their positions to promote a merger. They decided to establish a working group as soon as possible to discuss the merger.

Main opposition People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok and minor opposition People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo had an official meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul. This is their first official meeting since Lee was elected as the new main opposition leader.

“The victory of the opposition bloc in the April 7 by-election has shown the possibility of regime change and Lee’s victory shows the possibility of change of the main opposition party,” Ahn said. “As the people wish, we all have a responsibility to show the public that the main opposition party as well as the opposition bloc can innovate and change the regime.”

“I think the most important thing is to discuss about integration between the two parties. With today’s meeting as a beginning, I wish that working-level discussions can be held as soon as possible,” Ahn said.

In response, Lee said, “Once the People Power Party’s leadership is formed and the secretary-general is appointed, the working-level negotiating group mentioned by Ahn will begin to operate. After the merger, the party will become a very big party that thoroughly reflects dreams of Ahn and even that of comrades of Bareun Party in the past.”

The two leaders shared their views during the 10-minute meeting. While reaffirming their will to unite the parties, they decided to speed up the merger by forming a working group for negotiations. After the meeting, Lee told reporters, “A merger should be made in a way that keeps our philosophy and that impress the public. I hope that it can be completed as soon as possible.”

#Lee Jun-seok #Ahn Cheol-soo #merger