Ahn Cheol-soo Targets Pro-Han Faction: 'Eradicate Returning Activists' Ruining the Party

People Power Party Representative Ahn Cheol-soo targeted pro-Han Dong-hoon lawmakers within the party, arguing that they should be excluded from nominations in the next general election, stating, "A faction of 'returning activists' comparable to the Democratic Party's '86 activist group' is devastating the party."

During a press conference at the National Assembly today (the 12th), Representative Ahn directly criticized the pro-Han faction, saying, "People who serve a specific person outside the party, engage in 'wrecking' behavior for that purpose, and divide the party must be driven out of the People Power Party."

Representative Ahn's remarks came as the party's Organization Reinforcement Special Committee recently commenced activities aimed at reorganizing vacant local party chapters.

The "specific person outside the party" mentioned on this day is interpreted as targeting independent Representative Han Dong-hoon, while the "returning activists" are seen as targeting pro-Han lawmakers within the party.

However, in response to related questions from reporters, Representative Ahn stated, "You know very well who is being referred to, even without specific names being mentioned."

Representative Ahn emphasized, "Winning the 2028 general election is our party's absolute task, and the 2030 presidential election is our party's paramount goal," adding, "Now is the prime time to set clear goals and launch the Organization Reinforcement Special Committee."

He then asked, "The failures of the Lee Jae-myung administration are reaching their peak. Yet, what does our party look like at this critical juncture?"

Targeting the pro-Han faction, Representative Ahn criticized, "They gathered in groups and went all-out to defeat our party's candidates running in elections, and they are battering those who testified truthfully in court, calling it 'instigation' and 'distortion'."

He repeatedly stressed, "The People Power Party is fighting a war on two fronts: against the Lee Jae-myung administration and the 'returning activists.' We must eradicate these returning activists."

Previously, Representative Ahn appeared as a witness in the trial regarding Daegu Mayor Choo Kyung-ho's "December 3 emergency martial law" and testified about the situation on the day of the emergency martial law, for which he has faced criticism from the pro-Han faction.

Representative Ahn also argued, "We must filter out those who have left ethical blemishes on the People Power Party," adding, "If they go against common sense among the public, we must boldly cut them out and clean house."

This part is also interpreted as having in mind the recent initiation of disciplinary procedures by the party's Ethics Committee against some pro-Han lawmakers.

Furthermore, he suggested concentrating organizational strength in the metropolitan area—the maximum battleground for the next general election—and swiftly recruiting and appointing 2030 youths and individuals dedicated to the party to positions where local party chapter heads are replaced.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.