Heo Eun-ah: "Na Kyung-won is also a valuable asset to the party... Why send her to ruin?"

"'Where are the seniors who said 'Let's stick together'? It's embarrassing'"

Heo Eun-ah, member of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Rep. Heo Eun-ah of the People Power Party criticized the increasing pressure from the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction on former Rep. Na Kyung-won to not run in the March 8 party convention, saying, "How many of the party's valuable assets are you going to send to the abyss?"

On the 19th, Rep. Heo appeared on KBS1 Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' and said, "When I first entered the National Assembly, my seniors always said, 'We should not engage in factional fights,' and 'We must unite tightly,' but I don't know where those seniors have gone."

She added, "I do not necessarily support former Rep. Na, but isn't she still a valuable asset to our party?" and criticized, "Those in the mainstream seem to think that only if former Rep. Na becomes anti-Yoon will the desired leader be elected."

Regarding the joint statement by about 50 first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party on the 17th criticizing former Rep. Na, Rep. Heo called it "political violence" and questioned, "Was it necessary for first-term lawmakers to take collective action against a certain power?"

Rep. Heo, a first-term lawmaker herself, did not join the statement and said she was not even contacted. She said, "There is a group chat for first-term lawmakers, but there was no related content there, so I had no idea," adding, "I felt hurt and worried. Isn't there some kind of discrimination regarding collective actions?"

Rep. Heo said, "The problem is that people think it would be a big deal if they don't get on the good side of Yoon's core supporters (Yunhaekgwan)," and said this internal party atmosphere will also work against them in the upcoming 2024 general election.

She said, "They have never won properly in elections because they only look at power and not public sentiment. History has shown this so far," and "(The party convention voting method) has already regressed since it was changed to 100% party members voting," she said.

She urged, "I hope this party convention will not end with apologies over who is close or not close to whom, or who owes apologies or not."