Na Kyung-won Appeals "Hold the Hand of Fool Na Kyung-won"
Ruling Party: "'Fool' Na Kyung-won? Stop Cosplaying as President Roh Moo-hyun"
Jo Eun-hee, preliminary candidate for Seoul Mayor from the People Power Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Cho Eun-hee, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, criticized on the 3rd, saying, "Why is it okay for 'Fool Roh Moo-hyun' but not for 'Fool Na Kyung-won' or 'Fool Oh Se-hoon'?" and called the Democratic Party's claim of a "'Fool' monopoly right" absurd.
On the same day, Cho posted on her Facebook, "'Are you a fool like me?' was a phrase said by the late Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan. However, the Democratic Party and the Moon Jae-in administration suddenly claimed that this 'foolish spirit' of Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan should only be used by the Democratic Party, asserting a 'fool monopoly right,'" she said.
She pointed out, "It is truly absurd. The government's severe division and arrogance, which even claims exclusive rights to Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan's 'foolish spirit' and furthermore to the pure Korean word 'fool,' is frightening and chilling."
She continued, "It is especially disheartening that Park Sung-min, the youngest Supreme Council member at 24 years old, appointed by Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon to listen to the voices of youth, made such remarks," and questioned, "Is the Democratic Party trying to pass down division to future generations as well?"
Earlier that morning, Park Sung-min, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, criticized Na Kyung-won, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate who called herself a 'fool,' saying, "Do not tarnish the values of the late President Roh Moo-hyun."
Park said, "Seeing candidate Na refer to herself as 'Fool Na Kyung-won' made me feel an unpleasant sense that the noble political values of former President Roh were being damaged," and sharply warned, "Do not recklessly cosplay as former President Roh."
In response, candidate Cho said, "Candidate Na was displeased because she defined herself as 'Fool Na Kyung-won' while fiercely resisting political retaliation that was clearly expected during her time as the opposition floor leader and appealed for support."
She added, "In fact, not only candidate Na but also Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, referred to himself as a 'political fool' about a month ago," and explained, "'Fool' was originally an expression used by Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan to humble himself. It encapsulates a life devoted to doing the right and upright things foolishly without considering personal gain, carrying a noble meaning though not glamorous."
She further emphasized, "Seeing the Democratic Party strongly argue that they feel uncomfortable with anyone other than themselves using the term 'fool' truly makes me feel uneasy," and said, "This kind of thinking tramples on the values they claim to be noble. I believe they are a group that can never achieve national unity. I hope they realize now that such reckless remarks are a bad mindset that leads to division."
Na Kyung-won, preliminary candidate for Seoul mayor from the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, former lawmaker Na posted on her Facebook the previous day a post titled, "Citizens! Please hold the hand of Fool Na Kyung-won."
She appealed, "Fool Na Kyung-won, who kept her principles and beliefs, endured all kinds of slander and attacks steadfastly, and spoke the truth without giving up until the end, please create a miracle that she can win again," and asked, "Please give me the opportunity to become the Seoul mayoral candidate of the main opposition party and continue to show politics of conviction and responsibility step by step."
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