Na Kyung-won: "Yoon Likely Negative on Han Dong-hoon Draft Proposal"

"Joo Ho-young 'Internal Diss' Worse Than Internal Shooting"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Na Kyung-won, Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee and considered one of the ruling party's next presidential candidates, recently commented on the emerging rumor of "Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, being drafted as party leader," saying it would be "negative from President (Yoon Seok-yeol)'s perspective."

Vice Chair Na appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on the morning of the 6th and said, "From Minister Han's perspective or the President's perspective, I think there would be negativity about Minister Han being drafted," expressing this view.

The rumor about Minister Han being drafted arose after Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, mentioned the current party leadership candidates on the 3rd and said he was "not satisfied" with them. Considering that Floor Leader Joo recently had a private meeting with President Yoon, there is analysis that this statement contained the "Yoon's mind (Yunsim, 尹心)," which sparked the rumor about Minister Han being drafted.

However, Vice Chair Na said, "I also think (President Yoon) might want to use Minister Han more valuably," adding, "This party leader position is difficult without a readiness for sacrifice."

She further explained, "For this party leader role, leadership that prioritizes the President's will over one's own future and skillfully coordinates it is needed. Also, the relationship with the opposition party is not easy. Balancing this is a very difficult position."

Vice Chair Na analyzed, "It is a very difficult position that could be either a celebratory cup or a poisonous cup. I think the President would not assign such a tough position to Minister Han. He is very fond of him."

Regarding voices within the party calling for changes to the party convention rules, she said, "Changing the rules right before the party convention could be misunderstood as excluding or supporting a specific candidate, so it requires a more cautious approach."

She expressed regret over Floor Leader Joo's criticism of the party leadership candidates, saying, "It is a chronic disease of our party. Doing 'self-dis' (self-criticism) like this is worse than 'internal shooting' (infighting)."