"Mentions of State Affairs Manipulation Are Excessive Wordplay"
Regarding the controversy over 'ignoring Mrs. Kim Geon-hee's text messages,' Na Kyung-won, the People Power Party's leadership candidate, urged Han Dong-hoon, another leadership candidate, to apologize, stating that he "neglected his duties as the emergency committee chairman."
On the 9th, Na appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and said, "At that time, this issue (the controversy surrounding Mrs. Kim Geon-hee's luxury bag acceptance) was one of the issues that needed to be resolved, and confirming her intentions could have been an important clue to resolving it." He added, "If it was about endorsing someone, it would have been right not to respond even a hundred times, but that was not the case."
Na Kyung-won, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is touring the birthplace of Jeong Yulseong in Bullo-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 8th.
The previous day, TV Chosun revealed the original text messages sent by Mrs. Kim Geon-hee to Han, who was then the People Power Party's emergency committee chairman, between January 15 and 25. In the messages, Mrs. Kim stated, "This is an incident I have deeply wronged. I only hope not to harm the efforts of those who have endured a path of suffering because of me," and repeatedly said, "If you, Chairman, still judge that an 'apology' is necessary, I will resolutely decide to do so."
Regarding this, Representative Na said, "The texts seem to imply that she would apologize if the party decided so," but added, "My hope is that each person apologizes for their own mistakes and that the party convention shifts toward discussing future visions."
In response to Han's remark that "if I had replied, the opposition would have called it state manipulation," Na said, "Isn't it right to communicate with the parties involved to make things work well?" and criticized, "Calling it state manipulation or party affairs interference repeatedly seems like excessive wordplay."
Furthermore, Representative Na emphasized that the convention effect (support rate increase) has disappeared due to the 'text message controversy,' leaving only factional fights, and that an apology and closure are necessary. He pointed out, "It has already crossed the line," and said, "Representatives from both factions (pro-Yoon and pro-Han) are effectively acting as proxies, giving media interviews, and the situation looks very bad."
He continued, "Candidate Han ignored Mrs. Kim's texts and neglected his duties as the emergency committee chairman, so he should take responsibility and apologize to all candidates running in the general election and the party," and stressed, "Also, a few out-of-office committee chairpersons tried to issue a statement urging Han's resignation, but since some of them seem to be close to Won Hee-ryong, the People Power Party leadership candidate, Won should also apologize for this matter."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
