Pro-Chin Yoon First-Term Lawmakers React to Na's 'Bon-ui' Remarks: "Puzzling... Internal Criticism" (Summary)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who was dismissed from her positions as Vice Chairperson of the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee and Climate Ambassador, raised suspicions of 'distorted reports from some aides,' claiming that "the dismissal was not the president's true intention." In response, Park Soo-young, a first-term lawmaker from the People Power Party classified as part of the 'Pro-Yoon (친윤)' faction, criticized this as "words that treat President Yoon Seok-yeol like a puppet."

On the 17th, Park stated through her social media (SNS), "Dismissal and acceptance of a resignation letter are completely different personnel decisions."

She added, "Claiming that this decision 'was not the true intention' or that 'there was distortion in the communication process' implies that the president lacks the discernment to distinguish between good and bad, and made an important personnel approval decision without proper consideration," criticizing, "This is internal backstabbing against the president and words that treat the president like a puppet."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

She explained, "In the case of high-ranking officials, it is common practice to accept a resignation letter and allow them to leave public office. Even if there are some mistakes, this is done out of consideration for their past efforts," and added, "However, the president chose the extreme personnel approval of 'dismissal' rather than accepting the resignation letter," implying that President Yoon's dismissal decision was indeed his 'true intention.'

Park said, "That (dismissal) was a reprimand for the foolishness of not recognizing the heavy responsibility of a very important public office and throwing it away after just three months, and a condemnation of the lightness of launching a project expected to cost 12 to 16 trillion won annually without coordination with the president, prime minister, and deputy prime minister for economic affairs," urging, "Those who shake the president and the party like this should ask themselves whether what former lawmaker Na claims is truly 'helpful for winning the general election.'"

Another first-term Pro-Yoon lawmaker, Yoon Hee-seok, also criticized on SNS the same day, saying, "While respecting the president's dismissal decision, the interpretation that the decision was not the president's true intention is only puzzling."

He questioned, "'What is this 'distortion in the communication process'?" and said, "The smooth sailing of the Yoon Seok-yeol government for winning the general election can be led not by a party leader who distorts the president's true intention, but by a party leader who respects the will of the people and works with the president."

He also pointed out that "Fulfilling one's duty as a public official is the minimum virtue and the foundation of the true spirit of putting the public interest before oneself," criticizing former lawmaker Na for weighing a run for party leader while concurrently holding the positions of Vice Chairperson of the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee and Climate Ambassador.

Former lawmaker Na stated on SNS that morning, "The dismissal against me was clearly a final decision made by the president, and so I respect that intention," but also claimed, "There was distortion in the communication process before the president made such a decision. Therefore, I believe the dismissal was not the president's true intention."

However, the presidential office refuted Na's claim that afternoon, stating, "It was a decision based on the president's accurate fact-finding."