Jo Eung-cheon "Ro, Doubtful if He Has the DNA to Overcome the Presidential Office's Resistance"

"Without Withdrawal, Political Life Hard to Promise"
'Signs of Defeat' "Public Targeting Also for the Ruling Party"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jo Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, predicted that former lawmaker Na Kyung-won would not run for office, saying, "I doubt she has the DNA to overcome the presidential office's antagonism." Former lawmaker Na posted a message saying, "The dismissal was not the president's intention," but went into hiding after the presidential office rebutted her statement.

On the 19th, Jo said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "There should be a mindset of 'Even so, I will break through.' But has she ever shown that? I don't think so."

This was an indirect criticism that former lawmaker Na has never taken a direct breakthrough in such a political crisis.

Jo diagnosed the political situation surrounding former lawmaker Na as a 'dilemma.' He said, "If she gives up here, then considering the current political landscape of the ruling party, it will be almost impossible to expect her future political life. Among the People Power Party's candidates for party leadership, former lawmaker Na has participated in the most party conventions and various big events, and there are many hidden factions supporting her."

He suggested that giving up running could mean losing both political future and supporters. He said, "If suddenly former lawmaker Na says, 'I want to drop out,' wouldn't that be difficult for those people? I understand that many of them believe that she must become the leader to secure prospects for the next general election."

He also pointed out the existence of so-called 'Na Hekgwan (Na Kyung-won core associates).' Jo referred to Lee Taek-soo, the CEO of Realmeter, who advised on social media to "stay away from Na Hekgwan," saying, "This person thinks the same way," expressing agreement.

Nevertheless, he said, "(Former lawmaker Na) will follow her DNA. The presidential office has come down too hard now," and predicted her non-candidacy, saying, "I don't think she has the DNA to take this risk."

Regarding the statement issued by 48 first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party against former lawmaker Na, he expressed concern, saying, "Seeing the first-term lawmakers follow the trend like this, I thought, 'Wow, the People Power Party really has a bright future.' Publicly targeting someone before our party's presidential election and before things get this difficult was one of the signs of our party's various (defeats). This is now appearing."