Park Jong-hee from the South Side: "Presidential Office Applies Resentment Charge to the South" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won is reportedly still "burning with fighting spirit" despite internal party attacks and recent drops in approval ratings. This indicates a strong intention to run, and it is expected that she will announce her candidacy at a symbolic conservative venue after the Lunar New Year holiday.

Park Jong-hee, a former lawmaker who is assisting Na, said on the 20th on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and YouTube's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' "Na said she would take time during the Lunar New Year holiday to reflect on her political journey," adding, "She is still burning with fighting spirit." Na posted on social media that "the dismissal was not the president's true intention," but the presidential office immediately refuted this, and even first-term lawmakers issued statements demanding an apology, leading her to go into hiding.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked by the host, "Although you are reflecting on your political journey, do you still have a strong intention to run for party leader?" Park replied, "Yes," adding, "Because of the presidential office's reaction and the continuous attacks from close aides, she is in a rather bewildered position."

He continued, "It is the first time since the Lee Myung-bak administration that first-term lawmakers have issued a collective statement telling someone 'not to run,' which back then was directed at former Deputy Speaker Lee Sang-deuk. I think she is in a quiet mode because the president is busy with economic, national interest, and diplomatic matters, and someone is trying to prevent her from succeeding."

Regarding the presidential office's strong response to Na, he explained, "She served only three months as the vice-chair of the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee, held two public offices, attended party member events giving lectures and training, and although she was urged not to resign, she eventually submitted her resignation. These actions were seen as a kind of insubordination."

He added, "Then, when she emerged as the number one in approval ratings, the party leader election structure allows for variables where first and second place can switch in the runoff. Since Na became the biggest variable, there was a sentiment that it would be better if she did not run and that she should be stopped. Because of this, various unreasonable moves seem to have followed."

When asked by the host if there was a reason to be so harsh publicly, Park said, "I don't know if this is the president's plan or the plan of influential figures who report party matters to the president, but there are many unsightly scenes," criticizing the situation.

Regarding the statement issued by 48 first-term lawmakers, he said, "During the Lee Myung-bak administration, 55 first-term lawmakers urged former Speaker Lee Sang-deuk not to run, which was a voluntary group anticipating a 'prelude to a general election defeat.' But this time, even two members of the party leader election management committee signed it and later resigned from the committee, showing signs of urgency and being rushed," suggesting it was an involuntary action orchestrated by someone.

He identified the 'Yun core group (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates)' as leading this. Park hinted, "Last July, there were various moves to force former leader Lee Jun-seok to resign, and those who led that also led the petition among first-term lawmakers this time."

Whether Na will apologize for her SNS remarks seems to be her decision. Although reports said she would soon apologize, her side stated that while discussions took place, no decision was made, calling the reports 'false.' Park said, "There was discussion about whether to apologize or not, but since no decision was made, the 'false report' stance came out," adding, "It is a matter for Na herself to think more about today and make the final decision."

Regarding Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who raised suspicions about Na's husband's personnel and building speculation through SNS, Park said, "Politicians should be cautious about accumulating verbal debts, but Mayor Hong mentioning his 'gold spoon' background and family issues is somewhat unsightly," questioning, "Has Mayor Hong himself had a flawless political career?"

He added, "He says he is focusing only on local administration, but he keeps involving himself in central politics. Personally, when I was the campaign planning director during the presidential election when Hong Joon-pyo and Moon Jae-in competed, I have never heard him offer a warm meal since the election," criticizing him as a 'politician who only looks out for himself.'

Regarding rumors of an alliance with lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, he said, "Personal alliances in the preliminary stage are impossible," but added, "Alliances based on values or directions such as the metropolitan area winning theory are possible," viewing it positively.