"Not 'Handonghun's Time' Yet"
"Won Heeryong Can Never Beat Handonghun"
Na Kyung-won, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, criticized Han Dong-hoon on the 16th, saying, "He is a candidate who should not have run, a candidate who should have been held back once, but he has brought great confusion."
Na Kyung-won, the People Power Party's candidate for party leader, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the inaugural general meeting and commemorative special lecture of the Global Diplomacy and Security Forum held at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the same day, Na said on her Facebook, "At the joint speech meeting of the party convention, a physical clash even broke out. Regrettable," adding, "I feel bitter, thinking that perhaps this current situation was an inevitable outcome that was destined to happen."
She said, "Ahead of the party convention, there was much interest in whether Han would run, but those who knew even a little about party affairs mostly thought, 'It would be better if he rested this time.' When I was the emergency committee chair during the general election, the relationship between Han and President Yoon Seok-youl had already fallen into irreparable distrust and conflict. The moment Han became party leader, it was obvious that our conservatives would become like two families under one roof, living separately," she said.
She continued, "We have already experienced many failures due to the division between the president and the party. That even led to the spark of impeachment," adding, "Those who dream of future power inevitably have to erase and deny current power. Han has already started his own politics, that is, his presidential plan," she criticized.
Na also emphasized that now is not "Han Dong-hoon's time." She pointed out, "It is far too early," and said, "Han needed reflection, maturity, and patience."
Handonghun, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is delivering his policy speech at the joint rally for Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Chungnam held at the Yu Gwansun Gymnasium in Cheonan, Chungnam, on the afternoon of the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
She said, "Adding fuel to the fire was Won Hee-ryong's absurd misstep and mudslinging, an old-fashioned negative campaign," adding, "In my view, the chief cheerleader of Han Dong-hoon's camp right now is Won. Won can never beat Han."
Furthermore, Na said, "If I become party leader, I wanted to send Han as the lead candidate in the by-elections expected to be held around next year," adding, "So that he could naturally return to politics, learn parliamentary politics firsthand, and nurture his dream of the presidency. And if I become party leader, that intention will not change."
Finally, she said, "The reason our party has become difficult is because we did not stick to the 'basics,'" adding, "Han running for party leader this time goes against fundamental values and order. That is why we have become troubled again."
Meanwhile, the People Power Party's leadership contenders are expected to engage in fierce battles at the third TV debate on the 16th. Han Dong-hoon, Na Kyung-won, Won Hee-ryong, and Yoon Sang-hyun will attend the third party leader candidate debate hosted by Channel A in the afternoon. Following the previous two debates, this time the focus is expected to be on verifying personalities and visions. Since Han ranked first in multiple polls on preferred next party leader, efforts to check Han's influence are expected to intensify.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
