The Democratic Party Faces Intensified Conflict Between 'Anti-Yoon' and 'Pro-Yoon' Factions Ahead of Leadership Election... Crossfire Directed at Na Kyung-won (Comprehensive)

Jang Je-won tells Na Kyung-won "Don't become the second Yoo Seung-min"
Na Kyung-won "A party manipulated by pro-Park selectors"
Yoo Seung-min "Those who flattered Yoon's mind will be judged"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As former lawmaker Na Kyung-won was dismissed from her position as vice chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Low Fertility and Aging Society, a clash erupted between the 'Non-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction' and the 'Pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction' within the party. Tensions between the two sides are intensifying ahead of the People Power Party's March 8 party convention.

On the 15th, Jang Je-won, a 'Pro-Yoon' People Power Party lawmaker, directly targeted former lawmaker Na on Facebook, stating, "I have no intention of becoming the 'second Jinbak discriminator,' so I hope former lawmaker Na does not become the 'second Yoo Seung-min' either."

Park Soo-young, a member of the People Power Party's largest pro-Yoon lawmaker group, 국민공감 (People's Sympathy), also posted on Facebook that day a photo collage juxtaposing the child protagonist of the movie Home Alone with a photo of former lawmaker Na, captioned "羅 (Na Kyung-won) Home Alone!" He expressed, "It is very regrettable to see former lawmaker Na being ridiculed as shown in the photos below due to her poor judgment. If she had abandoned herself, she could have achieved much greater success," pressuring her not to run in the party convention.

Photo by Park Soo-young, a member of the People Power Party, posted on his Facebook on the 15th.

This was a counterattack against former lawmaker Na’s Facebook post on the same day, where she wrote, "Can a party manipulated by a second 'Jinbak discriminator' really win the general election and protect the Yoon Seok-yeol government?"

Earlier this month, Na had proposed a policy to forgive loans upon childbirth, which conflicted with the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s policy direction, causing friction with the presidential office. On the 12th, she submitted her resignation as vice chairperson of the Low Fertility Committee. In response, President Yoon Seok-yeol dismissed her from both the vice chairperson position of the Low Fertility Committee and the climate environment ambassador role on the 13th, just before his trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In her Facebook post that day, Na explained the background of her appointment as vice chairperson of the Low Fertility Committee, saying, "After deep reflection, I accepted it in good faith and took on the role with pride and enthusiasm," adding, "I dare say I worked harder and more practically than any previous vice chairperson."

She further explained, "I was directly criticized and attacked with the absurd frame of 'populism' for introducing overseas policy cases," and stated, "Judging that it was no longer possible to properly perform my duties, I expressed my intention to resign."

Former lawmaker Na emphasized her sincerity in addressing low fertility and aging issues, saying, "Some talk about 'deals' and 'self-politics.' Such ideas only come from their level," and added, "It is already clear who contributes to and who burdens the true success of the Yoon Seok-yeol government," concluding, "Party members and the public will surely come to know that 'fact'."

Former National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o also defended Na on the same day, saying, "She is one of the few long-serving members within the party," and added, "The continuous attacks on Na Kyung-won by some individuals seem excessive. Did she really do something deserving such criticism?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, party leadership candidates classified as pro-Yoon were cautious in commenting on former lawmaker Na. Kim Ki-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, told reporters, "I have continuously worked to create a mode of party unity and reconciliation and will continue to do so, so I hope those with different views will refrain from acting otherwise."

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo also said, "It is undesirable to see such infighting," and added, "I hope the party convention will stop political strife and focus on policy debates, vision contests, and presenting alternatives on how to resolve the current complex economic crisis."

On the other hand, former lawmaker Yoo, classified as 'Non-Yoon,' targeted the pro-Yoon faction within the party via Facebook, saying, "They threaten immediate sanctions if anyone attacks the president. They must be intoxicated with power and out of their minds," and countered, "Those who abandon public sentiment and only flatter Yoon’s favor, ruining the party, will surely be judged."