Meeting with Kim Ki-hyun "I will play a role for victory in the general election"
① Pro-ChinYoon coalition... Maintaining political mainstream
② Support seemingly given yet withheld... Responding to political changes
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "It means that I intend to play the necessary role for winning the general election."
Politician Na Kyung-won mentioned the 'general election role theory' during a meeting with Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, on the 7th. This meeting was between a prominent figure who was a leading candidate in the ruling party's leadership race and a person with a high chance of winning. Politician Na Kyung-won was practically forced to step down from the leadership race.
Two weeks after announcing her withdrawal from the leadership race, she became a key figure in changing the flow of the race again. She is not the main character but rather in a supporting position that brings political benefits to someone else. Politician Na Kyung-won's actions are often difficult to understand at first glance. Until recently, she experienced violence close to a 'group lynching' that she had never encountered in her political life. Political humiliation is a psychological phenomenon that lasts for many years.
Despite ups and downs, Politician Na Kyung-won has never left the mainstream position of the conservative party. Her path has been in the spotlight from the conservative party's perspective. However, during the process of withdrawing from the leadership race, she was pushed from the spotlight into the wilderness against her will. Politicians remember humiliation and wait for the right moment. The method can be a passionate battle or a quiet but powerful counterattack. Time is needed for this.
The time for political tempering. This time can range from a few months to several years, or even decades.
Politician Na Kyung-won's actions deviate from this political grammar. To analyze her choice, it is necessary to focus on the background of mentioning the general election role theory. Politician Na Kyung-won has a political career spanning 20 years. She has held various positions including member of the National Assembly, floor leader of the party, and Supreme Council member. She cannot be unaware of political mechanisms.
On January 25, she declared her withdrawal, stating, "There is no space for me to play any role in the upcoming leadership election." To reverse her own words, she needs justification. At the meeting with Kim Ki-hyun on February 7, she presented two main justifications. First, 'successful national governance.' The other is the 'general election role theory.'
Successful national governance is close to a given. No one in the People Power Party opposes the successful governance of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The general election role theory is a more direct reason why Politician Na Kyung-won risked controversy to join hands with Kim Ki-hyun.
Politicians fear becoming forgotten figures. Even political giants who once ruled the world eventually return to obscurity if forgotten for too long. Politician Na Kyung-won blocked the continuation of becoming a forgotten figure.
This is also why she showed a move to support Kim Ki-hyun, who had previously launched a collective attack against her. Politician Na Kyung-won has expressed her intention to remain within the pro-Yoon Seok-yeol (범친윤) camp. This can be criticized as choosing a greenhouse over the wilderness among the paths of a politician. However, considering her past actions, this is a more familiar choice.
If Politician Na Kyung-won remains silent until the leadership election ends, she could be perceived as an anti-Yoon politician regardless of her intentions. This would cause difficulties not only for next year's general election nominations but also for the 2027 presidential election plans. Returning to the National Assembly once more may not hold great significance for Politician Na Kyung-won, but if she fails to return as a member next year, her political status could decline further.
The next general election is important for Politician Na Kyung-won. Since entering the National Assembly in the 17th general election in 2004, she has mostly served as a member. The longest gap she has had was four years. She has never experienced or even imagined an eight-year gap. To limit the gap to four years in the 22nd general election next year, the prerequisite is to receive the People Power Party's nomination. Politician Na Kyung-won has never been elected as an independent member of the National Assembly.
Another interesting point is that although Politician Na Kyung-won met Kim Ki-hyun and took photos in front of the media, her expression and message were restrained. Criticism for changing her stance within half a month was likely a factor, but there is also a reason she could not smile brightly for the photo.
Various political interpretations have emerged, but the fact is that Politician Na Kyung-won met Kim Ki-hyun and shook hands. Her message is restrained. Politician Na Kyung-won explained, "We had many discussions about what kind of Republic of Korea we want to build, as well as about affection and sincere loyalty. We shared many perceptions."
This is something a political leader can certainly say.
Although Politician Na Kyung-won met Kim Ki-hyun, it is doubtful whether she will actively work for 'Kim Ki-hyun's election' during the leadership race. At least, by indicating that her support is not for candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, she achieves a political purpose. She conveys that she is neither 'anti-Yoon Seok-yeol' nor 'anti-Kim Ki-hyun,' while considering options to broaden her political maneuvering space.
This is a strategic move that allows flexible response to political changes that will arise as the People Power Party elects a new leader and prepares for next year's general election. It can be seen as a politically smarter response. However, the political burden of shaking hands with Kim Ki-hyun remains.
Changing her stance two weeks after declaring "there is no space for me to play a role in the leadership election" could pose difficulties for Politician Na Kyung-won's future as a political leader.
The public likes politicians with a story. Political stories are usually made in the wilderness battered by wind and rain rather than in a warm greenhouse, and the public is moved by the process of overcoming those hardships. Politicians raised in a warm greenhouse have limitations in growth.
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