After Na Kyung-won's Withdrawal... Ruling Party Heats Up 3·8 Convention Negatives

Park Hong-geun "Not the Power of People, but the Power of Yoon's Mind"
Jo Kyung-tae "It's Boring Without Competitive Candidates"
Kim Ki-hyun VS Ahn Cheol-soo Clash of 'Chunsaeng Politics'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Since former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won announced she would not run for party leader in the March 8 party convention, aftershocks have continued. The opposition party criticized that President Yoon Seok-yeol's close aides undermined former lawmaker Na, calling it the "Yoon Seok-yeol factionalization," and voices of concern about the failure of this convention's popularity arose even within some ruling party circles due to the withdrawal of the well-known former lawmaker Na.

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out at the party floor strategy meeting on the 26th regarding former lawmaker Na's announcement of non-candidacy the previous day, "It took only about half a month for former lawmaker Na's 'moment of the star' to turn into a 'moment of punishment,'" adding, "The People Power Party convention has become a 'purge ground' rather than a 'festival ground.'" He continued, "(Regarding the vice-chairmanship of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee that former lawmaker Na held) Following the president's sudden dismissal, indiscriminate attacks from the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction followed," and added, "(Former lawmaker Na) tried to package it as 'party before personal gain,' but it was actually 'Yoon before party' due to President Yoon's threats and all-out pressure."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won is leaving the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, after holding a press conference on the 25th announcing she will not run for party leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

"Convention Effect Through Fierce Competition"

People Power Party leadership candidates also revealed their discomfort regarding former lawmaker Na's withdrawal. On the same day, lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae held a press conference at the National Assembly communication office, saying, "Anyone should participate in the primary, and the person who gets the most votes should become the party leader, but isn't it turning into a rather uninteresting party convention now?" He pointed out, "If highly competitive candidates drop out, it becomes uninteresting. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the convention will fail to attract attention." He added, "Candidates for (party leader) should feel a heavy responsibility."

Lawmaker Cho introduced that the collective criticism statement from first-term party lawmakers against former lawmaker Na was the reason for holding this press conference, and said, "It would be better not to hold a party convention for a specific candidate."

Another leadership candidate, lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, after finishing a lecture at the Incheon Management Forum at the Ramada Songdo Hotel in Incheon, met with reporters and said, "If possible, it is better for multiple candidates to participate in the primary and compete fiercely, as it draws public interest," adding, "No matter who becomes the leader, the party benefits from the convention effect."

He also responded to criticism from leadership rival lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, who called him a "political turncoat" and accused him of "peeking here and there," saying, "Are you saying that it was wrong to work hard during the last Seoul mayoral election? Or that it was wrong to unify with President (Yoon Seok-yeol) and achieve regime change? Those are incorrect statements," he rebutted.

Kim Ki-hyun VS Ahn Cheol-soo Clash Over 'Political Turncoat'

Earlier, lawmaker Kim disparaged Ahn's party leader election slogan 'Yeonpotang (Solidarity·Inclusion·Balance Policy)' as a "wordplay," to which Kim said, "I hope the opposing candidate (Ahn) would use more polite expressions," adding, "Because I have not lived the life of a political turncoat or a politician who peeks here and there, I believe I have sufficient qualifications to speak about (Yeonpotang) that way."

On the same day, aides of both lawmaker Ahn and lawmaker Kim continued a sharp war of nerves over the "political turncoat" remarks. Kim's campaign chief spokesperson Kim Si-gwan declared, "Candidate Kim Ki-hyun confidently stated that he has not engaged in political turncoat behavior or peeking politics," adding, "Clearly stating one's political identity is itself a policy and vision presentation."

He further pointed out, "The Ahn camp is flaring up, calling the 'turncoat' expression a negative slander campaign," and said, "Clarifying political identity is an absolutely necessary policy verification for a party leader, and it is not an issue to be glossed over by labeling it as negative campaigning." Kim emphasized, "Please present your policies and vision suitable for a ruling party leader candidate," and "To become party leader, one must first clarify their identity before party members." This was an indirect reference to Ahn's efforts to unify with then-opposition candidate Moon Jae-in in the 18th general election and founding the People Power Party based in Honam.

In response, Ahn's campaign spokesperson Son Su-jo countered, "Suddenly telling us to clean up the 'Kimjang Yeondae' (Kimjang Alliance) after making it, suddenly turning 'Yeonpotang' into a muddy pond, Kim Ki-hyun's erratic behavior looks hasty," adding, "It is truly regrettable to say 'I will not do negative campaigning' in front of the media but only do negative campaigning behind the people's backs."

Son emphasized, "Calling Ahn Cheol-soo, who contributed to the presidential election victory through unification and even served as the transition committee chairman of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, a political turncoat?whether that is truly inclusive and helpful to the party and the Yoon Seok-yeol government is questionable. We trust the wise party members and hope for a dignified party convention that competes with policies and vision."

Meanwhile, former People Power Party lawmaker Park Jong-hee, from former lawmaker Na's side, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "It is a desperate hope that the Yoon Seok-yeol government will do well so that his (former lawmaker Na's) loyalty that 'no matter what, I cannot be anti-Yoon' does not fade," adding, "Please do not disparage Na Kyung-won's dream, a precious asset of our party, and evaluate it as a brave choice for the party." Park added, "The presidential office and the president's close aides should exercise sophisticated political skills so that the public does not frown," and "So that the party can establish itself in the hearts of the people as a forward base of love, harmony, and future development."