"With a Sense of Urgency, I Publicly Support Kim Moonsoo"
"I Hope He Will Create an Anti-Lee Jaemyung Big Tent"
Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party who was eliminated in the first round of the party's presidential primary, publicly declared her support for former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo on April 30.
At a press conference held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, that afternoon, Na stated, "With a sense of urgency, I am publicly declaring my support for candidate Kim Moonsoo," and added, "I earnestly ask everyone to unite so that candidate Kim can become the final candidate of the People Power Party."
People Power Party presidential primary candidate Na Kyungwon is holding a press conference related to pledges at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News
Na said, "Candidate Kim is a proven leader who has embodied the core conservative values of freedom, the rule of law, the market, and the economy, and who will protect the lives of the people and lead the nation to prosperity through these values," adding, "Although he comes from a labor activist background, he understands the dynamism of the market economy better than anyone else."
She continued, "Candidate Kim represents a 'big tent of integration' that will unite our divided party and the Republic of Korea, concentrating national energy," and added, "His broad experience and capacity for inclusion, spanning from the voices of the labor field to the concerns of businesses and covering both progressives and conservatives, will be a powerful force to resolve severe social conflict and achieve national unity."
Na emphasized again, "In the face of the crisis of a systemic war, what we need is not superficial slogans or popularity, but competence, experience, and a deep affection and dedication to the Republic of Korea," and said, "In that respect, candidate Kim is the best fit."
Na also said that her declaration of support for former Minister Kim was joined by lawmakers Han Kiho, Lee Jongbae, Song Eonseok, Lee Manhee, Park Sangwoong, Kang Seungkyu, Seo Chunho, Lim Jongdeok, Lee Jongwook, Kim Minjeon, Park Sunghoon, as well as 24 People Power Party regional chairpersons outside the National Assembly, all of whom had attended her presidential campaign launch event.
After the declaration, Na told reporters, "I believe supporting former Minister Kim as a primary candidate is a way to protect the Republic of Korea and its people," and added, "Although I was unable to pass the primary threshold, I hope he will create an anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent as the People Power Party candidate."
When asked whether handing over the 'Manhattan21' building office in Yeouido, which she used during the primary, to Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo's team was an expression of support for Han, Na replied, "It is merely a practical matter."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
