Kim Ki-hyun Actively Courting Na Kyung-won
Ahn Cheol-soo Questions "Whether They Promised in Advance" and Keeps Watch
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Which candidate among the People Power Party presidential contenders will former lawmaker Na Kyung-won support? With the party convention election narrowing down to a two-way contest between lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, the question of whose side former lawmaker Na will take has become a point of interest.
Recently, lawmaker Kim visited former lawmaker Na's residence and on the 5th, he even traveled to Gangneung, Gangwon-do, where Na was on a family trip. It appears that Kim, feeling a sense of crisis as his competitor Ahn Cheol-soo's approval ratings surged in various recent polls, has actively sought to explore possibilities for alliance.
Additionally, nine first-term lawmakers reportedly met former lawmaker Na on the 6th at the People Power Party Dongjak-eul district office to offer words of consolation and apology. Among them, eight had previously signed a statement demanding that Na not run in the party convention.
Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won is leaving the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, after holding a press conference on January 25, 2023, announcing she will not run for party leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
In the same context as lawmaker Kim visiting former lawmaker Na, it is interpreted that the first-term lawmakers indirectly appealed to Na to support Kim. Former lawmaker Na reportedly responded at the meeting by saying she would "find ways to cooperate for the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."
Lawmaker Ahn is also waiting for contact from former lawmaker Na. He appeared on KBS's 'Sunday Diagnosis Live' and said, "(Na) asked for some time to think and organize her thoughts, so I am waiting (for a meeting)." Regarding Kim's meeting with Na, he expressed caution, saying, "Didn't former lawmaker Na mention that she needed some rest? I am curious whether this was a prearranged appointment."
Both lawmaker Kim and lawmaker Ahn are in desperate need of Na's alliance. Kim, who is supported by the pro-Yoon faction, is trailing behind Ahn in approval ratings, making every vote crucial.
Lawmaker Ahn has faced a crisis exposing conflicts with the presidential office due to the term 'Yoon-Ahn (Yoon Seok-yeol and Ahn Cheol-soo) alliance.' The prolonged direct conflict with the presidential office is inevitably burdensome even for Ahn, who has high approval ratings. If a new issue does not shift the political landscape, he may face an irreversible situation of a sharp decline in support.
Will former lawmaker Na side with Ahn, who shares an unexpected 'shared plight' due to the 'conflict with the presidential office,' or will she back Kim, who enjoys absolute support from the pro-Yoon faction? Whichever choice she makes could become a variable influencing the ruling party's convention. Although politician Na Kyung-won has chosen not to run, her political stature seems to be growing instead.
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