Fear of the 'Gonggwanwi Blade' That Also Struck Hong Jun-pyo Behind the Na Kyung-won Incident

The Real Issue Behind Attacking Na Kyung-won Is Worry Over Next Year's Nomination
2020 Hong Joon-pyo, Kim Tae-ho, Yoon Sang-hyun Cutoffs
Possibility of Cutoff Fear Repeating in Next Year's General Election

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won’s declaration of non-participation in the People Power Party’s leadership election reflects the complex and subtle power dynamics within the ruling party. Unprecedented scenes unfolded to the extent that people said, “There has never been such a leadership election.” The collective attack on politician Na Kyung-won, who was once treated as an idol of conservative politics, was harsh enough to be recorded in Korean political history.

The act of the presidential office giving the impression of intervening in the ruling party’s leadership election is a political burden. When the politics of 2023 are reviewed in the future, this could be recorded as a painful mistake. Despite this burden, the presidential office effectively urged former lawmaker Na Kyung-won not to run, which is related to the blueprint for the upcoming March leadership election.

The presidential office and the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction) side are said to be envisioning the People Power Party’s leadership election as a process of transforming the ruling party into one that firmly supports President Yoon Seok-yeol. This is not just about securing the party leader position but is also linked to the plan for the 22nd general election on April 10 next year.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won is entering the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th to hold a press conference regarding her candidacy for party leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

To make the party a definite pro-Yoon party rather than a loose pro-Yoon faction, the ruling party’s victory in the general election is essential. In particular, it is important that a large number of pro-Yoon candidates receive nominations. The picture is of pro-Yoon candidates being nominated en masse in favorable areas such as Seoul’s Gangnam district, Bundang in Gyeonggi Province, and Yeongnam region constituencies like Busan and Daegu. This is a source of fear for incumbent People Power Party lawmakers.

Political behavior varies according to the party’s nomination system. If candidates for the general election are selected through primaries in most constituencies, incumbent lawmakers are not at a disadvantage. Conversely, if the party mainstream’s influence determines nominations regardless of local competitiveness, no lawmaker can be sure of their nomination.

The focus of first-term People Power Party lawmakers on “attacking Na Kyung-won” is related to this. It is a strategic move to firmly leave a political mark and gain an advantageous position in next year’s nomination competition. Although signing a statement criticizing Na Kyung-won does not guarantee a nomination, it is calculated to be more advantageous than not signing.

The fear among People Power Party lawmakers is justified. This is because of what happened in the most recent general election, the 21st general election in 2020, within the United Future Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party).

At that time, the United Future Party’s nomination management committee (chairman Kim Hyung-o) held the power of the blade. Even political giants fell under the blade wielded by the nomination committee.

People Power Party presidential primary candidate Hong Joon-pyo visited the People Power Party Gyeonggi Province Committee in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of November 4, 2021, held a meeting, and gave a greeting. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Politician Hong Joon-pyo, who served as party leader, is a representative example. Hong Joon-pyo, who was the presidential candidate of the conservative party lineage in 2017, was excluded from the 2020 nominations. Currently, Hong Joon-pyo is affiliated with the People Power Party and serves as the mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City. However, in the 21st general election in 2020, he was not nominated and ran as an independent candidate in Daegu Suseong district.

After a difficult election, he was elected with 38.5% of the vote. Had Hong Joon-pyo not survived politically, it would have been difficult for him to maintain his current political status. The commonality between Kim Tae-ho, a former governor of Gyeongnam Province and a People Power Party lawmaker considered a potential presidential candidate, and Yoon Sang-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker who ran for party leader, is that neither received nominations in the 21st general election in 2020.

Kim Tae-ho ran as an independent candidate in the Gyeongnam Sancheong-gun, Hamyang-gun, Geochang-gun, and Hapcheon-gun constituency and was elected. Yoon Sang-hyun also ran as an independent candidate in the Incheon Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu constituency and was elected. Yoon Sang-hyun narrowly won after a very close race. Kim Tae-ho also survived after a close contest with the United Future Party candidate.

The cases of politicians Hong Joon-pyo, Kim Tae-ho, and Yoon Sang-hyun show that no one can feel safe in front of the nomination committee’s blade.

If the pro-Yoon faction takes control of the party as expected and wields the nomination committee’s blade, what situation will unfold? The anxiety of People Power Party lawmakers, especially those with safe constituencies, could increase.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is greeting Representative Yoon Sang-hyun at the National Assembly plenary session on September 27, 2022. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Even prominent politicians who have led the People Power Party so far cannot feel secure. Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, the central figure in the leadership election turmoil, is no exception.

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won stated through her declaration of non-participation on the 25th:

"A political party is the root of liberal democracy. It must always embrace inclusion and respect. Rather than orderly lethargy, disorderly vitality is needed."

Na Kyung-won, with 20 years of political experience in Yeouido, delivered a message imbued with political implications. While the image of an orderly party is good, the dynamism of a party through disorderly vitality is more important.

The problem is whether the wise words of a senior politician can change the party’s direction ahead of the massive political event of the general election. The moment one feels they hold power is precisely when they should look back, but the problem is that it is easy to forget this while intoxicated by the sweetness of power.