Ahn Cheolsoo Says "Run in Jeon Kwanghoon's Party Primary"... Na Kyungwon Responds "The Height of Hypocrisy"

Ahn Cheolsoo Demands Candidates Clarify Stance on Jeon Kwanghoon's Presidential Bid
"Says Na Kyungwon, Hong Junpyo, and Kim Moonsoo Should Run in Jeon Kwanghoon's Party Primary"
Na Kyungwon: "Runs for President in Every Election, Switching Parties Each Time"

Na Kyungwon, a candidate in the People Power Party's presidential primary, strongly criticized fellow party candidate Ahn Cheolsoo for his remark that Na should "run in Jeon Kwanghoon's (pastor of Sarang Jeil Church) party primary," saying, "Candidate Ahn should leave the party," and describing his comments as "the height of hypocrisy." On the 20th, Na stated on her social media account, targeting Ahn, "He is someone who has run for president in various parties in every election," and made these remarks.

On the 20th, at the ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Na Kyungwon, candidate of Group B, is speaking at the first round group debate of the People Power Party's 21st presidential candidate primary. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Na went on to say, "It is deplorable that, at every moment of crisis, he sows seeds of division and seeks to disrupt the primary with internal attacks and attempts at division," adding, "This is no different from an act of betraying our party's history and insulting our party members and supporters."

Previously, Ahn had commented on the announcement by Pastor Jeon Kwanghoon that he would run for president as a candidate of the Liberty Unification Party, stating, "Na Kyungwon, Kim Moonsoo, and Hong Junpyo, who walked the far-right path alongside Pastor Jeon during the impeachment crisis, must now make their positions clear." He continued, "If you still follow Pastor Jeon's views and cannot sever ties with him, then go to Jeon Kwanghoon's party and run in the primary there." Ahn also called on former President Yoon Sukyeol, saying, "Please stop them and persuade them. For the sake of the Republic of Korea and for conservatism, we must not remain silent any longer."

Ahn Cheolsoo, a candidate in the People Power Party primary, is presenting his vision at the People Power Party's "21st Presidential Candidate 1st Primary Vision Conference" held on the 18th at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Ahn also criticized the Group B debate of the People Power Party's presidential primary held that day, stating, "It was an unprecedented self-destructive debate. There were remarks about regime wars and ideological parties, as if we had returned to the 'military regime Minjeong Party era' of the 1980s." He added, "Some who claimed to defend liberal democracy even went so far as to defend the emergency martial law that violated the Constitution. How can we win over centrist voters or defeat this candidate under these circumstances?"

In response, Na questioned Ahn, "Do you agree with the values of the People Power Party?" and sternly warned, "Do not pretend to be a conservative while shaking up the party. Stop being a cuckoo laying eggs in someone else's nest. You should just leave the party and create your own Ahn Cheolsoo Party, as you have always done." Regarding the Group B debate, she evaluated, "I had a fun yet serious debate with candidates Lee Cheolwoo, Hong Junpyo, and Han Donghoon," and added, "Among these strong candidates, I wanted to be evaluated for my political skills, diplomatic capabilities, and, above all, my practical vision."

The presidential primary candidates of the People Power Party are taking a commemorative photo before the Group B debate of the first round of the presidential primary held at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 20th. From the left, candidates Lee Cheolwoo, Na Kyungwon, Hong Junpyo, and Han Donghoon. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

During the Group B debate, a confrontation emerged between Han Donghoon, who supports the impeachment of former President Yoon, and the three candidates who oppose it. Han Donghoon pointed out, "While I oppose martial law, claiming it was merely a minor error is, in a broad sense, condoning martial law," and pressed Lee Cheolwoo, asking, "Do you still believe that former President Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law was a legitimate exercise of authority?"

In response, Lee retorted, "Do you even have the right to say that? The fact that (Han) is running as our party's candidate is itself a mistake," and added, "How can you call the president's actions 'insurrection'? Insurrections are committed to seize power." Na also criticized Han, saying, "Why are you bringing former President Yoon into the presidential primary?" and argued, "It is because of Han's 'insurrection framing and impeachment agitation' that things have come to this point."

Additionally, Hong Junpyo commented on the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law, describing it as "a two-hour incident with no real damage," and said, "I suggested that, instead of impeachment, former President Yoon should be given the opportunity to voluntarily step down as a matter of political responsibility."