Ex-pres. candidate Ahn rules out taking post in next gov`t

Ahn Cheol-soo, a one-time independent presidential candidate who abruptly withdrew from the race late last month, pledged Monday that he will not take up a post in the next administration.

Delivering campaign speeches in support of Moon Jae-in, the candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party, in front of Jeonju Gymnasium in North Jeolla Province, Ahn also said, “New politics essentially requires political and economic reform. Political reform requires the giving up of privileges.”

The former IT guru`s comments reportedly represented a renewed emphasis of his commitment to new politics, something he has stressed again and again. By clarifying that he wants nothing in return even if Moon wins the election, he apparently sought to show sincerity toward new politics by becoming the first politician to decline privileges. Ahn`s spokesman Yoo Min-yeong said, “The comments were made in line with his pledge to start from scratch as rank-and-file politician,” adding, “He means that there`s no change to his decision that he will not join the Cabinet and will remain as a rank-and-file politician.”

The former candidate also sought to dispel controversy to counter the claim of ruling Saenuri Party candidate Park Geun-hye camp to label the Moon-Ahn coalition as “power sharing” or “outdated politics of the past.” Moon pledged to form a grand coalition encompassing his party and the moderate and rational conservative groups represented by Ahn under a framework of a "coalition of the public."

Moon also promised to run a “responsible prime minister system (through power sharing),” leading many analysts to say that if he is elected, he will form a cabinet system in which he would be president and Ahn prime minister. Ahn, however, ruled out this possibility through his comments made Monday. This could also be used to pressure members of the pro-Roh Moo-hyun faction to refrain from taking appointed posts if Moon is elected.

Ahn’s comments caused a stir in a subtle way, however, because he spoke after Moon pledged to form a “joint government” or “a Cabinet of a grand coalition.” Depending on interpretation, the statement could be seen as Ahn’s rejection of Moon’s offer. For this reason, analysts say Ahn’s comments will have no notable positive impact on assembling and consolidating supporters of the opposition camp. And if Ahn is not included in Moon`s proposed grand coalition Cabinet, which Moon said would encompass Ahn’s supporters, the Progressive Justice Party, pro-opposition civic groups, and leaders from the moderate group, it will inevitably influence the sentiment of voters who back Ahn.

Other analysts say Ahn`s statements are a precursor to a potential initiative to form an independent force, including a new party centered on Ahn. His words can be interpreted that Ahn will not take up an appointed post but he will seek to win an elected position. Moon on Sunday said, “I will form (a new structure) after taking power” and “We will turn the party into a party of the public,” and if Ahn`s words are linked with Moon`s, a reshaping of the political landscape is possible.

Ahn has the option to form an independent force through a new party after the Dec. 19 presidential election. He could find it more advantageous to amass support through a by-election or political reshuffle if he is to display the color of new politics that he has envisioned. His acceptance of an elected post could also provide a great opportunity for him to overcome his short political career, which was considered one of his weaknesses in the course of the failed effort to unify the opposition candidate.

But warnings have arisen against the scenario of a new "party of the public" centered on Ahn and Moon because it can only materialize after the framework of the Democratic United Party is dismantled. On political reshuffle after the presidential election, Lee Mok-hee, planning division chief of Moon’s election camp, said in a radio interview Monday, “There is a kind of trauma because we often come to think of a new party as something to be created through a split of the party,” adding, “It would never entail the splitting of the Democratic United Party, but would be implemented through the further prosperity, expansion and reform of the party.”

leon@donga.com