[Exploring Ruling Party Leadership Candidates]② Na Kyung-won, Will Her Gamble to Give Up the Presidency Work?

Emphasizing Traditional Conservatism with Experience as a Five-Term Metropolitan Lawmaker
Confidence in Rallying Party Members Based on Party Support as a Strength
Must Go Beyond Recognition and Popularity... Need to Deliver a Message

'The People Power Party of Rhee Syngman and Park Chung-hee, people who know how to win, conservative re-domination'

These are the words mentioned by Na Kyung-won, a People Power Party lawmaker, when she declared her candidacy for the party leadership election on July 23. Since joining the Grand National Party in 2002, Na has never changed parties and is appealing to party members for support by emphasizing orthodox conservatism. The first people she met after deciding to run were Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu. She then visited the election offices of lawmakers Song Eon-seok (Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do) and Im E-ja (Sangju-Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do) to meet with party members. This was a strategic move considering that nearly half of the People Power Party members are concentrated in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region. After visiting the area, Na emphasized, "Respecting the party members and the people, who are the roots and foundation of our party, is the first step to rebuilding the conservative party and succeeding in re-domination."

Even during times when defections were frequent, Na has highlighted her loyalty to the party to emphasize her historical significance. As a five-term politician from the Seoul metropolitan area, her experience accumulated over more than 20 years is indeed her greatest asset. In her declaration on the 23rd, Na said, "To succeed in conservative re-domination, we cannot entrust the People Power Party to irresponsible politics, shameless politics, or immature politics," adding, "We cannot repeat the misjudgments that led to the general election defeat. We no longer have the luxury to endure trial and error." This is widely interpreted as a direct critique of former Chairman Han.

Na is confident in consolidating the 'party base.' Although Lee Jun-seok was elected in the June 11, 2021, party leadership election, Na led in the party member vote. In the party member vote, which accounts for 70% of the total, Na secured 40.9%, ranking first, while Lee received 37.4%. However, in the general public opinion poll, which accounts for 30%, Lee received an overwhelming 58.8%, resulting in Na's defeat. The current election rules allocate 80% weight to party member votes and 20% to general public opinion polls, including provisions to prevent reverse selection, which could work in Na's favor. However, the candidacy of former Minister Won Hee-ryong, considered 'pro-Yoon,' may cause some instability in the party base.

Na Kyung-won, the elected member of the People Power Party, is attending the 2024 Floor Leader Election Elected Members' Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In this leadership election, Na has adopted a strategy of not emphasizing factions. This is an attempt to differentiate herself from former Chairman Han Dong-hoon, who is known for his pro-Han faction, and former Minister Won Hee-ryong, who is trying to regroup the pro-Yoon faction. Na stated, "I have no faction, no grudges. There is nothing to confront or be cautious about," adding, "With that, I can sincerely make the Yoon Seok-yeol administration successful." However, lacking a strong party organization could put her at a disadvantage. Na experienced a painful setback when she withdrew midway during the March 8 leadership election last year due to a petition by pro-Yoon first-term lawmakers.

Na's biggest gamble is her decision not to run in the next presidential election. While former Chairman Han and former Minister Won are mentioned as potential presidential candidates, Na has declared her non-candidacy, emphasizing her dedication to the party. To run as the People Power Party's presidential candidate, party officials must resign from all party positions 18 months prior. The party leader elected this time would not be able to complete their term if they became a presidential candidate. However, some argue that a stronger message than 'giving up the presidency' is needed. Former lawmaker Lee Cheol-hee said, "In politics, it is more respected to say what you will do rather than what you will not do," adding, "I wish there had been some consideration about what message to deliver to transform recognition and popularity into explosive energy."