[Presidential Interview] Na Kyungwon: "Conservative Unity Needed to Block Lee Jaemyung... But Han Donghoon's Apology Must Come First"

"Supporting and Inciting Impeachment Are Different"...Aimed at Han Donghoon
Despite Calls for a 'Big Tent': "The Mercenary Theory Cannot Be the Answer"
"If Elected President, I Will Negotiate Directly with Trump Through My Network"

Na Kyungwon, a preliminary presidential candidate for the People Power Party, emphasized the need for "conservative unity" to prevent former Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung from winning the election. However, she drew a clear line regarding former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, a member of the pro-impeachment faction, stating, "An apology must come first."

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 21st, Na said, "There is a difference between simply supporting the impeachment of the president and inciting it as a party leader," adding, "An apology and a clear stance regarding the incitement must be a prerequisite."

People Power Party presidential primary candidate Rep. Na Kyungwon. Na Kyungwon candidate election campaign headquarters

She also dismissed calls to form a "big tent" with figures such as acting President and Prime Minister Han Deoksoo, saying, "While alliances are necessary, the so-called 'mercenary theory' should not be the ultimate solution."

This means she rejects the logic that she should simply join forces with Han Donghoon and Han Deoksoo, whose ideologies and directions differ from hers, solely for the sake of winning the presidential election. Instead, Na expressed confidence in passing the primary, presenting herself as a "prepared president" with political and diplomatic experience.

The following is a Q&A with Na Kyungwon.

-What do you consider your unique strengths compared to other People Power Party presidential candidates?

▲South Korea needs a president whose political and diplomatic abilities have been proven. Whoever becomes president from the People Power Party will have to overcome a situation where the opposition holds a majority in the National Assembly. As former chair of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and former floor leader, I have fought on numerous fronts when necessary and negotiated when needed. Today, diplomacy is directly linked to the economy and security. I am the only candidate with real negotiation experience and connections with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s circle, making me the sole candidate with direct communication channels to Washington.

-If you are chosen as the People Power Party's presidential candidate, could you form alliances with pro-impeachment figures such as Han Donghoon and Ahn Cheolsoo?

▲There can be various opinions regarding the impeachment of the president. To block Lee Jaemyung’s vision for Korea and achieve an even greater victory, conservative unity is necessary. However, there is a difference between simply supporting impeachment and (in the case of former leader Han) inciting it as party leader. I believe an apology and a clear stance regarding the incitement must be a prerequisite.

-There are calls to form an "anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent" with figures such as acting President Han, former Prime Minister Lee Nakyon, and Innovation Party lawmaker Lee Junseok. What is your view?

▲While conservative unity and alliances are needed to prevent Lee Jaemyung’s vision for Korea, the so-called "mercenary theory" should not be the ultimate solution. In order to earn the people's support, we must present the values conservatives pursue?liberal democracy, a market economy, and the rule of law?as well as our own pledges, vision, and policies.

-If you become president, what efforts will you make to achieve social unity in a divided society?

▲South Korea is now experiencing not just division, but a fundamental crack in its system. Before talking about unity, we must first restore the rule of law and principles that have collapsed. Legislative dominance forced through by a majority, investigations and trials suspected of political bias, and constitutional institutions distrusted by half the population?all these show the breakdown of the rule of law and the loss of principles.

-You have put overcoming the low birthrate as your top pledge. Why?

▲Countering the low birthrate is an investment in national survival. The "Hungarian low birthrate policy" proposes providing long-term loans of 200 million won at 1% annual interest for 20 years, with the principal forgiven if a family has four children. The budget would be about 12 trillion won per year starting 20 years from now. The "250,000 won universal payout" policy promoted by Lee would cost about 12.8 trillion won, but I believe investing in low birthrate policies is more effective than one-off populist measures.

-Which industries do you see as the driving force for Korea’s economic growth?

▲Ultimately, it is cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), bio, and quantum technology. AI is a core technology that will revolutionize all industries, bio is the future growth engine for an aging society, and quantum technology is at the forefront of global power competition. Semiconductors remain the heart of the Korean economy. Without an all-out public-private investment in these fields, there is no future.

Rather than leaving these sectors solely to a few conglomerates as in the past, the government should take bold steps as an investor and foster a new entrepreneurial spirit. We must abolish killer regulations and implement labor reforms, such as introducing flexible work arrangements. The special semiconductor law, which includes exceptions to the 52-hour workweek, must be passed.

On the 20th, at the ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Na Kyungwon, a candidate from Group B, is speaking during the first group debate of the People Power Party's 21st presidential primary. Photo by Yonhap News

-Having served as chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, how would you respond to the "Trump risk"?

▲President Trump is likely to directly participate in negotiations with Korea and demand "one-stop shopping" deals, including defense cost-sharing. Based on my Washington network, I will secure package deals and one-shot agreements. When the Moon Jaein administration was pushing for a flawed end-of-war declaration, I negotiated directly with then-White House National Security Advisor John Bolton to block it. Na Kyungwon will negotiate directly with Trump.

-You met with Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, who declared he would not run for president, and said you would adopt his policies. What does this entail?

▲To ease overcrowding in Seoul, I will adopt Mayor Oh Sehoon's "Five Singapores Project." I will reorganize the nation into four to five mega-regional economic zones, enabling each region to compete as an autonomous and dynamic economic engine, like Singapore. We need to strengthen local autonomy and fiscal authority to realize a Korean-style decentralization model where regions can grow on their own.

-You have pledged to establish a Korean-style Ministry of Government Efficiency. What is the purpose?

▲The Ministry of Government Efficiency would serve as a control tower to diagnose and reform inefficiencies in budgets, personnel, and organization across all ministries. Welfare programs are often duplicated or overlap between central and local governments and among ministries. During my tenure as vice chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, Korea invested about 380 trillion won over 18 years, but much of it was spent on projects not directly related to the issue. Now is the time to shift to a smaller, more competent government.

-What are your plans to strengthen communication with the public?

▲My election in Dongjak-gu, a challenging district in the greater Seoul area, was thanks to genuine communication with local residents. I designated "Saturday Dates" as a day to hear civil complaints, meeting directly with over 2,000 residents more than 1,000 times. As president, I will expand this on-site communication style to national governance. Communication is a habit.