[Interview with Former National Assembly Member] Heo Eun-ah "Shocked by Yoon Core Group's Attack on Na Kyung-won, Decided to Run"

"'Every time I hear 'Thank you,' I resolve to do better'
Empathy cited as the greatest strength"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] "'Yunhaekgwan' (key associates of Yoon Seok-yeol) attacking former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won shocked me and gave me the courage to run."

Heo Eun-ah, a candidate for the Supreme Council member in the People Power Party's March 8 party convention, said in an interview with Asia Economy, "Having a variety of figures within the party leadership itself already means we have beaten the Democratic Party of Korea," emphasizing, "There must be a group that speaks common sense and rational arguments."

Heo, who served as the chief spokesperson during former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok's tenure, is one of the 'Cheon-A-Yong-In' (Cheon Ha-ram, Heo Eun-ah, Kim Yong-tae, Lee Gi-in), considered reform conservatives aligned with Lee Jun-seok. She explained, "Seeing someone who is a symbol of conservatism, who served four terms and was even the floor leader, unable to muster courage, unable to run as the party leader candidate they wanted to be, and stepping down was frightening, but it made me think 'I have to run.' From the moment Lee Jun-seok was forcibly ousted for unclear reasons, I thought I should raise my voice. Also, when I saw the Dongdaemun-gu Eul party branch chairmanship being discarded despite being decided, all these flows created a justification that I had no choice but to step forward."

Recently, while traveling nationwide, the most frequent comment Heo hears is that she is "cool for standing up to power without yielding." She said, "There are people who thank me, those who ask me to save our party, and some who say they see me differently now," adding, "Every time I hear such things, I vow to do well. In the past, many politicians thought it was enough to just do well during elections, but now I feel everyone is watching."

However, she often witnesses party members booing at joint speeches. Since Heo is classified as a non-Yoon (비윤) close associate of former leader Lee Jun-seok, she is accused of 'internal betrayal.' But Heo said, "Whether they applaud or boo, they are all party members who care about the party," and added, "I wanted to come out to the party convention and persuade those people." She continued, "When I approach policy and present diverse voices, people seem surprised," adding, "Local officials have contacted me saying 'thank you.'" Through joint speeches, Heo has pointed out issues such as problems with Gwangju Subway Line 2 and proposed double-tracking the Southern Inland Line in Busan, discussing policies related to those regions.

Heo Eun-ah, candidate for the Supreme Council member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

She cited 'empathy' as her greatest strength. As a former airline flight attendant, having lived a modest working life, she prides herself on understanding the people's hearts better than anyone else. Heo emphasized, "What I felt during three years in Yeouido is that everyone is busy voicing their own opinions but does not know how to humbly listen to the people's voices. I am someone who has climbed the ladder step by step from a truly ordinary childhood to this position and knows how to respect the people."