Na Kyung-won "Abandoned Mayoral Position Herself" Oh Se-hoon "Nothing Gained During Floor Leader Tenure"

Candidates Oh Se-hoon and Na Kyung-won appearing on MBC's '100-Minute Debate'
Photo by MBC

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Jumi Lee] The People Power Party's preliminary candidates Oh Se-hoon and Na Kyung-won, who are running in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, participated in a TV debate. During the debate, candidates Na Kyung-won and Oh Se-hoon clashed over their past responsibilities as floor leaders and the issue of resigning from the Seoul mayor position.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan, former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee appeared on MBC's '100-Minute Debate.' The discussion started off calmly, but Na and Oh came into direct conflict during the leadership debate segment.

Candidate Na addressed Oh, saying, "You say I took a hardline stance when I was floor leader, but I fulfilled my responsibilities as floor leader. Then, should all citizens have just stood by when people gathered in Gwanghwamun demanding Cho Kuk's resignation?"

She also criticized, "Former Mayor Oh resigned in 2011 by staking his mayoral position on the issue of free school meals, which was irresponsible. Is there really any justification for seeking the mayoral position again after abandoning it? This election is a judgment against the Democratic Party. I want to ask if former Mayor Oh can really claim otherwise."

In response, candidate Oh said, "The comment about the hardline stance was a reply to your statement that 'centrism has no substance and is unrealistic.' I think the hardline struggle was well done. I also never missed going to Gwanghwamun. I did not mean to say you shouldn't have done that," he countered.

He continued, "During my time as floor leader, nothing was achieved due to the mixed-member proportional representation system and the Corruption Investigation Office law. The semi-proportional representation system affected the general election. I said this to express that I feel responsible to the public and those who advocate conservatism for not achieving anything during my term as floor leader," he argued.

Candidate Oh added, "I did not define myself as a hardline conservative; you set your own course. But I saw on Facebook a few days ago that you were very sensitive about that part, which surprised me," he pointed out. Candidate Na responded, "You did not answer my question. I spoke about irresponsible resignation. You irresponsibly gave up the mayoral position in 2011," she emphasized.

She directly criticized, "Among the various reasons for giving up the mayoral position, there were frequent remarks that it was impossible to work because the city council was dominated by the opposition. I am worried that in an even more difficult situation this time, you might say soon that you will quit because your principles differ."

In response to Na's attack, candidate Oh said, "I do not regret fighting for those values. I apologized for staking my position. I believe the value debate continues even now," he retorted.

Candidate Oh pointed out, "Watching the Democratic Party government recklessly spending money, the public probably still regrets not winning that value debate back then. Looking at former lawmaker Na's pledges, she is the candidate among the four who promises the most cash handouts. It is crossing a dangerous line," he criticized.

He emphasized, "Every politician feels such temptation. If you do not establish value principles at such times, the country will fall into ruin. I wanted to set the principles straight at least once and fought to the end, and I do not regret it."