"Na Kyung-won Shouted 'Yoon's Success': 'Is Loan Forgiveness Populism?'" (Summary)

Opposition Party Also Expresses "Serious Low Birthrate Issue"
Emphasizes "Need to Support Yoon Administration"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Na Kyung-won, Vice Chairperson of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, on the 11th revisited the 'Hungarian-style loan forgiveness' that had caused conflict with the Presidential Office, asking, "Would Na Kyung-won be populism?" Although Vice Chairperson Na expressed her intention to resign the day before, her resignation has not yet been accepted.

Vice Chairperson Na attended the 'Dongjak-gu New Year's Greeting Meeting' held at Dongjak District Office that morning and stated, "I had planned to provide ultra-low interest long-term loans upon marriage and forgive part of the interest and principal when having children, but this has been called populism." The residents shouted "That's right!" and applauded.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Rep. Na explained, "One of the various ideas considered to address low birthrate was a system similar to Hungary's, as many people said housing issues are the most difficult," adding, "It was a system that former Mayor Hong Joon-pyo mentioned when he ran for the party leadership election."

Before stepping down from the podium, Vice Chairperson Na also proposed a slogan related to low birthrate. She shouted, "For the new year, to hear more children's cries, please say 'Eung-ae' for 2023," and the attending residents cheered, shouting "Na Kyung-won fighting!"

However, she clarified that mentioning the loan forgiveness low birthrate policy again was not intended to create conflict with the Presidential Office. Vice Chairperson Na said, "I think it is inappropriate for the recent series of events to be seen as conflict or confrontation with the Presidential Office, and I have no such intention," adding, "This is my idea, and since I am no longer in a responsible position, I think there is nothing more to say." She also added, "Please do not keep making a rift between the Presidential Office and me."

In fact, Vice Chairperson Na frequently mentioned the "success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration" that day. From the start of the New Year's greeting, she said, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration is determined to carry out the labor, pension, and education reforms that South Korea needs now, creating stepping stones for the country's future," and asked, "Please strongly support the Yoon Seok-yeol administration in our Dongjak-gu as well." She also said, "In a time when diplomacy, security, and the economy are all difficult, it is time for all citizens to unite and firmly support the Yoon administration."

Regarding questions from reporters about her future, she said, "I am thinking about what is important for the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and added, "I am deeply considering what choices would be good for the future of the People Power Party to protect South Korea's liberal democracy and build a better Korea." She also emphasized, "I have not yet been notified whether my resignation has been accepted, and I am not attached to any position," and mentioned that she is considering running for the party leader election at the March 8 party convention.