Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party criticized his party on Monday for remaining mired in the "jeol-yoon" debate—the controversy over severing ties with former President Yoon Suk Yeol. He argued the party should instead focus on policy measures addressing everyday concerns such as stock prices and gas prices.
"Despite the party establishing its collective position, political disputes continue over whether we truly cut ties and what follow-up measures should be taken," Ahn wrote on Facebook. "But I question how much the party's relationship with former President Yoon really matters to people's daily lives."
"When I visit local communities, people talk daily about gas prices and KOSPI figures, but they don't discuss politics," he noted. "Citizens end their days in good spirits or worry about tomorrow based on gas prices down to the won and stock index movements. That is the reality of their daily lives."
Ahn attributed the party's low approval ratings to policy shortcomings rather than the jeol-yoon issue. "I believe our party's low support stems from our failure to empathize with citizens' hardships and present solutions," he said. "If we cannot solve the real-life problems people face at gas stations and in the stock market, no amount of references to the past will win back public trust."
"Former President Yoon is politically finished, and the substance of our internal debates must change," Ahn urged. "Let us commit ourselves to developing policy weapons we can put in the hands of candidates facing difficult elections."
