[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized the internal party moves to curb former lawmaker Na Kyung-won's potential candidacy for the next party leader, saying, "Once the Presidential Office specifically pointed her out, Yoon core figures (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates) rushed in to collectively lynch and ostracize her."
In an interview with KBS Daegu·Gyeongbuk 7 o'clock news on the same day, Yoo said, "Seeing such undemocratic behavior reminiscent of school bullying incidents, I think this is really unacceptable, and the party should not go backward like this." He also pointed out, "The Presidential Office's various responses to former lawmaker Na Kyung-won are too violent and excessive."
He added, "Former lawmaker Na is the vice-chairperson of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, an appointed minister-level public official," and said, "The Presidential Office in Yongsan has been openly and harshly criticizing her for days over a single remark she made about policy."
Yoo continued, "Whether someone runs in the party convention or not is their own freedom and decision," and criticized, "Trying to suppress this with the president's power from the Presidential Office is really wrong."
He further stated, "When Yongsan targets someone and marks them, those who flatter and show loyalty to the president swarm like a hive and launch a carpet bombing attack. I have also suffered a lot from this over the past year," adding, "Seeing this happen to former lawmaker Na now, I feel a great deal of concern and worry about whether this party should go in this direction."
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