Lee Jeong-hyun: "To Win the General Election, We Must Declare Dropping Na Kyung-won"

"People Power Party is now in a coma state
Still mistaken for the opposition party" a harsh criticism

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Lee Jung-hyun, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the National Balanced Development Committee, commented on former lawmaker Na Kyung-won's candidacy for the March 8 People Power Party leadership election, stating, "I hope she clearly states the reason that it is for the victory in the general election and the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, and promptly makes a ‘drop’ declaration."

Lee, who previously served as the leader of the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, said in an interview with Asia Economy on the 18th, "Whoever it may be, there should be no criticism or attacks against former lawmaker Na," adding, "Opportunities will come," and "I hope former lawmaker Na chooses the ‘win-win’ path."

The People Power Party has recently been engulfed in internal strife over the party leadership competition. In particular, President Yoon Seok-yeol did not process the resignation letter of the Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee submitted by former lawmaker Na, but rather dismissed her, which has led to an explosive conflict within the party over the so-called ‘Yoon’s mind’?the president’s intention.

Lee Jeong-hyun, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee at the National Balanced Development Committee.

In response, Lee strongly criticized, saying, "The lethargic and disorderly collapse of leadership currently shown by the People Power Party is a betrayal of the people who created the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and a betrayal of the party members," and likened the party to being in a coma state.

He pointed out, "A non-standing committee (비대위) is a promise to the people that the party will innovate to the extent of a complete transformation when it fails in elections and faces a crisis," adding, "Even after repeatedly going through the non-standing committee, this behavior shows that the People Power Party is in a coma state." He said, "Fundamentally, we need to diagnose where our party currently stands, what the people's expectations are, and what our mistakes have been."

Sharp criticism also emerged that the ruling party has failed to fulfill its role even after coming to power. Lee said, "The ruling party is a force that put forward a candidate to become president and made promises to the people," and "The role of the ruling party is to become one with the president to fulfill the pledges, but it seems they still mistakenly think they are the opposition." He continued, "Currently, there is no sign that the party is considering what role it should play in helping the president keep promises."

The process of striving for the president’s success must remain an unsolved mystery
Excessive self-promotion is an attempt to ride on others’ coattails

He also expressed discomfort toward those who ‘politicize by putting the president forward.’ Lee said, "Although I was very close to former President Park Geun-hye in the past, I never revealed it," and "The efforts made for the president’s success should remain an unsolved mystery." He added, "Excessive self-promotion is an attempt to ride on others’ coattails." Lee served as the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs during the Park Geun-hye administration.

Lee also emphasized that through this leadership election, "We must discard all backward-looking tendencies and digitalize the party," stressing, "Party member management, recruitment, and opinion gathering suitable for the digital age are necessary."

He further argued for the immediate abolition of the spokesperson system, a symbol of authoritarianism that conveys the party leader’s thoughts, and the introduction of a ‘Daecheongin system’ that listens to the voices of the people instead of the party leader and the president.