Na Kyung-won "Will Ensure Conservative Re-election... Will Not Run in Next Presidential Election" (Comprehensive)

Na Kyung-won Holds Candidacy Press Conference at National Assembly
Na: "Victory Proven by Results"
Interpreted as Targeting Han Dong-hoon and Won Hee-ryong
Criticizes Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law as "Power Grab"

Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, announced that she would not run in the 2027 presidential election while declaring her candidacy for the party leader election at the July 23 convention, pledging to successfully restore conservative power.

After finishing her press conference for the party leader candidacy at the National Assembly Communication Office that afternoon, Na met with reporters and said, "In fact, the dream of the presidency is a precious dream that I cannot give up. However, the party is currently in great difficulty and is truly facing a critical crisis."

Na added, "If the party leader also takes on the role of a presidential candidate, there are many concerns that personal interests might take precedence over public interests in party management and other areas."

Regarding the 'Special Prosecutor Law on Chae Sang-byeong' being pushed by the Democratic Party, Na evaluated, "The special prosecutor seems to have shown a clear intention to bring down the administration rather than uncover the truth."

Targeting her competitors for party leader, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong and former Emergency Committee member Han Dong-hoon, she said, "One lost in Incheon Gyeyang, and the other lost in the nationwide battle," emphasizing, "The only person who has defeated Lee Jae-myung is Na Kyung-won."

Earlier at the press conference, Na declared, "I will pour all the wisdom, strategy, and experience of a five-term politician surviving in the metropolitan area into restoring conservative power," and "if so, we cannot entrust our People Power Party to irresponsible, shameless, and immature politics."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Na expressed confidence that she could make the People Power Party a winning party by leveraging her five-term experience in the metropolitan area, her lack of factional ties, and the fact that she has not switched parties in 22 years since joining the People Power Party.

Regarding this, Na said, "Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, came at me relentlessly, but I achieved a decisive victory," emphasizing, "Victory is not something you talk about. Victory is proven by results. Only those who have won know the way to win."

She continued, "We cannot repeat the misjudgments that led to the general election defeat. We no longer have the luxury to endure trial and error," stressing, "I will devote all the wisdom, strategy, and experience of a five-term politician surviving in the metropolitan area to restoring conservative power."

Based on this, she pledged to take the lead in public opinion and political affairs, transform the party into an economic, competent, and reformist party, and overwhelm the opposition.

Na also mentioned that she has no factional grudges and promised to help the success of the Yoon Seok-youl administration. This was interpreted as a subtle explanation that she holds no lingering feelings about the 'petition' circulated by pro-Yoon lawmakers during the 21st National Assembly urging her not to run.

Regarding this, Na said, "We will unite our strength and hearts unconditionally to overcome difficulties. If there are shortcomings and mistakes, we will boldly correct them. We will walk together, supporting and pulling each other along," emphasizing, "The absolute standard of judgment is only the public sentiment. We will go together as the people say is right." She especially vowed to help the next People Power Party presidential candidates without personal interests.

Furthermore, based on her 22 years of experience in the People Power Party, she expressed her intention to realize conservative restoration. Na said, "During the harsh Moon Jae-in administration, I criticized President Moon as 'Kim Jong-un's chief spokesperson.' Together with party members and the people, we brought down Minister Cho Guk. In the squares and on the streets, we shed tears together," emphasizing, "It was at that moment that we were reborn as a living opposition party. We laid the foundation for regime change."

She added, "We can never hand over power to Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party, which practices parliamentary dictatorship and lawlessness. This country cannot collapse like this," pledging, "We will unite tightly to prevent the people's misfortune, the destruction of liberal democracy, and the collapse of constitutional order. Only Na Kyung-won, representing victory, unity, and orthodox conservatism, can accomplish this."

At the press conference, former lawmaker Jeong Yang-seok and former People Power Party spokespersons Kim Min-su and Kim Ye-ryeong accompanied Na.