Na Kyung-won "Yoon to Decide Candidacy After Returning"... Lunar New Year Holiday Ruling Party Leadership Race 'Big Bang'

Consecutive Facebook Posts... 'Candidacy Imminent' Speculation
Assemblyman Jo Kyung-tae Officially Announces Party Leader Candidacy in National Assembly
Ahn Accelerates Seoul Metropolitan Area Strategy... Kim "I Am No. 1" Confident

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Youngwon Kim] As the People Power Party leadership candidates have consecutively declared their official candidacies, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won also announced that she will decide whether to run for party leader after President Yoon Seok-yeol's overseas trip. With about two weeks left before the March 8 party convention candidate registration, the race for party leadership is intensifying.

Na Kyung-won: "Will Decide on Candidacy After President Yoon's Return"

On the 16th, former lawmaker Na officially stated through an aide, "Once the president, who is working hard for national interests, returns, I will consider (declaring candidacy) at that time."

Earlier, Na posted a message on Facebook emphasizing that she is the 'legitimate conservative,' sparking speculation that her candidacy is imminent. Na said, "Today, I visited the graves of former Presidents Rhee Syngman, Park Chung-hee, and Kim Young-sam in order," and asserted, "I am literally a traditional conservative." After offering floral tributes and silent prayers at the former presidents' graves, Na did not write in the guestbook separately.

Earlier that day, Na also posted a message supporting President Yoon's visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This came just a day after she engaged in a fierce battle with lawmakers classified as the so-called 'pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction,' seemingly mindful of criticism regarding internal party strife. That evening, Na held a private dinner with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

[Photo by Na Kyung-won, former member of the National Assembly, Facebook]

Ahn Cheol-soo Targets Capital Region... Kim Ki-hyun: "I Am Definitely Number One"

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae officially declared his candidacy at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day. He is the fourth official candidate after lawmakers Kim Ki-hyun, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Ahn Cheol-soo among the parliamentary contenders. Cho said, "If given the opportunity armed with the experience of five terms and youthful drive, I will make our party a symbol of success in the Republic of Korea," adding, "If I become party leader, I will transform the 'Three Waste Reforms' movement into a nationwide campaign and devote myself to political reform together with the people." The 'Three Waste Reforms' advocated by Cho involve abolishing the proportional representation system, parliamentary immunity, and state subsidies to political parties.

Another leadership contender, Ahn Cheol-soo, continued his campaign targeting the capital region by attending meetings with party members from Gangnam Gap, Seocho Eul, and Jongno District on the same day. Ahn has consistently argued that securing seats in the capital region is crucial for winning the general election. On YTN Radio, Ahn said, "The essence of the 'Kimjang (Kim Ki-hyun and Jang Je-won) alliance' is a Yeongnam alliance," adding, "If that happens, there will be no response to the capital region."

Ahn plans to have a dinner meeting with Mayor Oh on the 17th and hold the launch ceremony for 'Ahn Cheol-soo's 170V Camp' at the People Power Party central headquarters on the 18th.

Kim Ki-hyun, who received the top party leader approval rating in a Realmeter poll the previous day, expressed confidence in his victory, saying, "Everyone has started to recognize that I am definitely number one." Speaking to reporters at a New Year's gathering for Busan expatriates held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, he said, "I have sincerely and genuinely engaged with our party members, explaining why Kim Ki-hyun should become the leader, and many party members have begun to empathize with that explanation, which I believe is reflected in the poll results."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Party Leadership Calms Heated Debate Surrounding Na

Until the previous day, pro-Yoon faction lawmakers and former lawmaker Na exchanged sharp and excessive verbal attacks, calling each other "the second Jinbak inspector" and "the second Yoo Seung-min." Earlier, Na said, "Can a party manipulated by a second 'Jinbak inspector' really win the general election and protect the Yoon Seok-yeol government?" In response, lawmaker Jang Je-won counterattacked Na, saying, "I hope you do not become the second Yoo Seung-min," and added, "I have no intention of becoming the second Jinbak inspector."

In response, Chung Jin-seok, the People Power Party emergency committee chairman, said at a meeting that the April general election next year "will be fought with President Yoon's face and achievements, but there is concern about overheated competition among candidates," adding, "The ruling party must unite as one and make the March party convention a place to reaffirm determination."

As concerns about internal party conflict arise, leadership candidates are lowering their profiles. Regarding lawmaker Jang's reaction, who is one pillar of the 'Kimjang alliance,' Kim said, "The term 'Kimjang alliance' is already outdated and meaningless. Everyone has their own thoughts, but I hope they restrain themselves and act for the party's sake."

Ahn also supported former lawmaker Na's candidacy, saying, "The party convention should be a festival, and whoever wins, we should unite with the mindset that we can win. Isn't that the proper party convention? In a democratic society, anyone with the right to be elected can run if they wish."

Lawmaker Cho also expressed concern about the party's internal strife, saying, "It is quite worrisome," and stated, "Our party should be a party that values freedom and democracy."