Yoonism Drive vs Capital Region Solidarity Theory... Na Kyung-won Faces 'Last-Minute Dilemma'

Kim Ki-hyun, Grand Opening Crowded
Yoon Sang-hyun "Political Comrades with Ahn Cheol-soo"
"Na Kyung-won Should Run," Youth Party Members Urge

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Youngwon Kim] As the race for the People Power Party leadership officially begins, tensions among the candidates are heating up. While Kim Gi-hyeon, backed by 'pro-Yoon' lawmakers, is gaining momentum, the 'An-Yoon alliance' of Ahn Cheol-soo and Yoon Sang-hyun, armed with the 'capital region representative theory,' has launched a counterattack. Na Kyung-won, Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, who had discord with the Presidential Office over low birthrate policies, appears to be in deep final deliberation over running for party leader.

On the afternoon of the 9th, Kim Gi-hyeon held a campaign opening ceremony at the Daesan Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Even before it started, the building was packed with people. About 3,000 attendees, including current and former lawmakers and party members, gathered to kick off a grand election campaign. National Assembly Vice Speaker Jung Woo-taek praised Kim, saying, "First, the party leader must be someone who can lead with harmony. Kim, as floor leader, has skillfully managed the difficult minority government situation."

Senior and Veteran Lawmakers Mobilize... MB: "Kim Gi-hyeon Must Lead for Yoon's Success"

Former Gyeonggi Governor Lee In-je, appearing at an official event after a long time, said, "Even in the fierce battleground where the party leader caused conflicts and put our party members through hardship, Kim Gi-hyeon quickly created new harmony and unity," adding, "He is a general of the presidential election war who transformed the energy of conflict and division into energy for integration and victory."

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is taking a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the Winning Camp held in Yeouido on the afternoon of the 9th. 2023.1.9 Photo by Yonhap News

Former President Lee Myung-bak also sent a congratulatory message. He stated, "Unity and harmony are more important than anything else," and added, "Through this party convention, I hope Kim Gi-hyeon will take the lead in creating a 'united People Power Party' and ensuring the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration." The message was read by Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the campaign.

Targeting the capital region representative theory, Kim countered, "Discussing where the leader is from regionally is self-contradictory," and said, "In the last general election, Hwang Kyo-ahn, who was from the capital region, led the party to a crushing defeat." Kim emphasized, "I will show balanced leadership selected through a truly fair system and guarantee victory in the capital region through policies for centrists and the working class in next year's general election."

Ahn Cheol-soo Officially Declares Candidacy for Party Leader

Earlier that day, Ahn Cheol-soo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall to officially announce his candidacy for party leader. Ahn emphasized, "I am running not to be a leader who leans on President Yoon Seok-yeol's power, but to be a leader who supports President Yoon."

Ahn described himself as the best candidate for the next party leader, knowing well the public sentiment in the capital region, the key battleground for the general election that will determine the success of the Yoon administration. He said, "The Democratic Party has already realized that the capital region is the frontline for next year's general election and has completed preparations," adding, "We must confront them head-on with leadership from the capital region." He further stated, "I am a three-term lawmaker based in Yeongnam but representing the capital region. I understand the hearts of centrists and swing voters better than anyone, and I know the minds of the 2030 generation better than anyone."

Ahn also referred to himself as President Yoon's 'joint guarantor' and 'community of destiny,' saying, "If President Yoon fails, Ahn Cheol-soo's political future will not exist." He highlighted, "A president with a legal background and a party leader with a science and technology background is a combination rarely seen worldwide, especially at this moment when the U.S. and China are engaged in a science and technology hegemony war," emphasizing, "This will be a differentiated choice securing the most definite advantage that the Democratic Party cannot catch up with."

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, is talking with Kim Young-woo, the campaign committee chairman, after declaring his candidacy for party leader at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Yoon Sing-hyun, who also sent a congratulatory message to Ahn, said in a YTN radio interview that morning, "'Kimjang (Kim Gi-hyeon and Jang Je-won) alliance' is an alliance of strongholds, vested interests, and double standards," criticizing, "They cannot rise to the capital region and are just bluffing in the Yeongnam region." Yoon also described Ahn as "a political comrade," explaining, "The capital region alliance is a term coined by the media as a counter-concept to the 'Kimjang alliance.'"

Meanwhile, Na Kyung-won, who proposed low birthrate-related policies such as 'loan forgiveness upon childbirth' and was criticized by the Presidential Office, did not make any particular statement that day.

Na Kyung-won, Vice Chairperson of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, public opinion encouraging Na's candidacy continues to form. One hundred young party members issued a statement of support at a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Hall, urging Na to run. They expressed concern, saying, "We cannot help but worry whether the March People Power Party convention will truly be conducted by the collective will of party members," and added, "There are artificial political offensives to block the candidacy of the candidate who overwhelmingly leads in party member support polls, and various bad news continues, including the Presidential Office directly managing candidate coordination."

They concluded, "The 100 young party members of the People Power Party ask former floor leader Na to run for party leader," and said, "It should become a festival for party members and a role model in the history of Korean political parties."