Ahn steps forward presidential bid

Ahn Cheol-soo

A new book, “Ahn Cheol-soo’s Thoughts” was released Thursday detailing the information technology mogul-turned-professor’s thoughts about key campaign issues, including unemployment among young people, education, school bullying, North Korea and the Jeju naval base plan.

It was written by Jae Jeong-im, a professor of Semyung University Graduate School of Journalism, based on conversations she had with the computer expert on a variety of topics.

Political analysts have taken the release of the book to mean that the computer expert is officially expressing his intent to run for the Dec. 19 presidential election. In the book, however, Ahn says he remains “undecided” about the much anticipated question of whether he will run for office.

In the preface, he says no matter what career he chooses ― whether it will be that of a responsible politician or an intellectual seeking change, he will continue to work together with the people.

He then elaborates on policy priorities and what he thinks about major issues.

“The most significant challenge facing the nation is how to build a fair welfare state that can provide necessary social services for working-class and low-income earners and foster the middle class,” he says.

Ahn defines welfare as a working system that can create a virtuous circle between social services and jobs, dismissing the view that welfare is mostly about spending-oriented policies.

Regarding North Korea, Ahn calls for the resumption of the Mt. Geumgang tours and proposed an inter-Korean economic project to improve the relations between the two nations.

Ahn says that his popularity among voters is a reflection that the public is sick and tired of the old political system and therefore this reveals a clash between their fatigue and aspiration for the future-oriented values.

In surveys, he is the second most popular potential presidential candidate, following Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party.

Despite mounting calls for him to clarify his position on a presidential bid, Ahn has remained silent.

While he has tried to buy time on making his decision public, people seem to be growing tired of the ongoing saga. Polls show support for Ahn has gradually dropped since the April 11 National Assembly elections when Park proved her strength with her rating rising.

Some lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) claim that the falling rate for Ahn shows that he has missed his opportunity. <The Korea Times/Kang Hyun-kyung>

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