Backlash Hits Na Kyung-won... Kim Ki-hyun Takes a 'Breather'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The claim by former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, a ruling party presidential candidate, that "the dismissal was not President Yoon Seok-yeol's true intention" has sparked a strong backlash. The presidential office immediately rebutted, and 48 first-term ruling party lawmakers issued a statement saying, "He insulted President Yoon." Presidential candidates also raised their voices in criticism. Amid this, Representative Kim Ki-hyun, considered a 'pro-Yoon' leading presidential candidate, extended an olive branch by mentioning "Yeonpotang (Alliance, Inclusion, Reconciliation)," saying even former lawmaker Na could be embraced.

On the 18th, Representative Yoon Sang-hyun said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "It was somewhat inappropriate in that it involved President Yoon," adding, "It implies that the president made a wrong judgment based on incorrect advice from his close aides, which distorts the image of the president as a leader who cannot even make proper decisions."

Representative Kim Ki-hyun also pointed out on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' that "The president's decision to dismiss someone who had not even submitted a resignation letter, let alone accepted one, from an ambassadorial post clearly carries meaning," and criticized, "Interpreting this arbitrarily is disrespectful to the president."

Former lawmaker Na claimed via social media the day before, "While my shortcomings may have contributed to the president making such a decision, there was also distortion in the communication process. I believe the dismissal was not the president's true intention," but this backfired. The presidential office rebutted, stating, "The dismissal was President Yoon's decision," and 48 first-term lawmakers demanded an apology in a statement, saying, "While verbally claiming to support the president, insulting him as an incompetent leader is an intolerable hypocrisy and a political fraud that should be expelled from the Republic of Korea."

Senior politicians also joined in 'attacking Na Kyung-won.' Jeong Jin-seok, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, advised on KBS's 'News 9,' "It is natural to accept it calmly," while Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo criticized on social media, "The whining is pitiful," and added, "Wouldn't it be better to restrain yourself now?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, as former lawmaker Na's full-fledged 'anti-Jang' movement grows, the backlash against the 'Kim-Jang Alliance (Kim Ki-hyun-Jang Je-won)' is intensifying, leading Representative Kim to distance himself from Representative Jang Je-won and emphasize "Yeonpotang (Alliance, Inclusion, Reconciliation)." With his support rising to the top one or two within the party, he appears to be focusing on risk management by delivering a 'unification' message.

On the same day, Representative Kim said on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, our Representative Jang Je-won, and former lawmaker Na Kyung-won all have their strengths. The other candidates running now are the same; we must embrace them all," adding, "I will brew Yeonpotang through alliance, inclusion, and reconciliation." He also took a humble stance on social media, stating, "I will be cautious of 'Asitabi' (I am right, you are wrong) and remember 'Gyeon-ri-sa-ui' (Do not be obsessed with immediate interests but rather think of righteousness). I will prioritize the public interest."