[Interview] Na Kyung-won "No Need to Rush Unification... Didn't 'Roh Moo-hyun-Jeong Mong-jun' Do It Quickly?"

"Real Estate Supply, Sale Price Ceiling System Must Be Abolished"

Na Kyung-won, People Power Party Seoul mayoral primary candidate. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Lee Hyun-joo] Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won referred to the 'Roh Moo-hyun-Jeong Mong-joon' model regarding the unification of candidates for the Seoul mayoral by-election, stating, "It is merely a matter of will, so there is no need to be rushed by time." She emphasized that it is impossible for Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, to join the People Power Party or for the two parties to merge and then hold a joint primary, and that negotiations for unification after the People Power Party candidate is selected in March would be sufficient.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 28th, former lawmaker Na said, "Since we cannot change our party’s constitution (party rules and regulations), the condition for a joint primary with Leader Ahn is either joining the party or merging," adding, "Unification is a matter of genuine will, not a matter of time. Didn’t the 'Roh Moo-hyun-Jeong Mong-joon' unification happen quickly before?"

In the 2002 presidential election, the late President Roh Moo-hyun unified with then People’s Unity 21 candidate Jeong Mong-joon through a public opinion poll. Just days before the official candidate registration deadline, they agreed on the unification method at a so-called pojangmacha (street food tent) called 'Love Shot.' However, the unification lost momentum when Jeong withdrew his support shortly before the election day.

On the 27th, former lawmaker Na visited Eunma Apartments in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, emphasizing the active relaxation of reconstruction and redevelopment regulations. She said, "The most important thing is to improve project profitability, so the price ceiling system for pre-sale should be abolished, and the part about recovering development profits should be refined meticulously," adding, "If I become the mayor of Seoul, I will exert my political power to the fullest to resolve this."

She also proposed the complete removal of the 35-floor height limit and an increase in floor area ratio. The easing of redevelopment and reconstruction regulations is emphasized not only by opposition parties but also by ruling party candidates.

Regarding this, former lawmaker Na said, "Although the Democratic Party has changed its stance, they consider Eunma Apartments a symbol of speculation; can they really handle it properly?" and added, "They say so during elections, but practically, it will be difficult under a Democratic Party mayor."

She also dismissed concerns that more opportunities would be given to the so-called 'Gangnam rich.' Na said, "If there are more houses in Gangnam, wouldn’t the house prices in Gangnam fall? Ultimately, supply is the fundamental solution, so house prices will stabilize."

On the current issue of compensation for losses suffered by self-employed businesses, she expressed the opinion that partial compensation should be provided through means other than legislation. Former lawmaker Na said, "We need to realistically consider the fiscal situation, and if legislation is enacted, there will be side effects due to changing circumstances each time," adding, "For losses incurred while following quarantine rules, compensation should be provided partially and meticulously based on the principle of fairness. However, I am negative about doing this through law."