“Just Because They Label Me Doesn’t Mean I Will Be Labeled,” Na Kyung-won Refutes Attacks about Her Representing Those Who Are Not Pro-Yoon

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, mentioned as a candidate for the People Power Party (PPP) leader, makes a toast at a New Year’s greeting of the PPP Seoul office held at the party head office in Yeouido, Seoul on January 11. National Assembly press photographers

On January 11, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won spoke on her bid for People Power Party (PPP) leader and said, “I am contemplating what is important for the Yoon Suk-yeol government to be successful.” As pro-Yoon Suk-yeol members branded Na as a “non-Yoon” (someone who is not pro-Yoon) candidate, she fought back saying, “Just because they label me doesn’t mean I will be labeled,” and guarded her pro-Yoon image. She also resumed actions as a party leader candidate, suspended by criticism from the Office of the President after suggesting writing off loans for households that give birth.

On Wednesday, former lawmaker Na attended a Dongjak-gu Office event to exchange New Year’s greetings held in her local district (Dongjak 2, Seoul) and the New Year’s greeting of the party’s Seoul office held at the party head office. She reappeared at local and party events, something she voluntarily and involuntarily stopped doing after her comment on cancelling loans on January 6.

When reporters asked if Na had made up her mind on the bid at the Dongjak-gu event, she said, “I’m still considering the issue” and mentioned the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government three times in a brief period of time. The former PPP lawmaker said, “The most important thing right now is the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government.” She also said, “I am contemplating what is important for the Yoon Suk-yeol government to be successful.” She continued and said, “I am considering the Republic of Korea--a liberal democracy--democracy in the People Power Party, and the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government.”

On Tuesday, pro-Yoon members made comments defining Na as a non-Yoon and a “far-Yoon” (someone who has grown distant from Yoon) member. Lawmaker Kim Jung-jae said, “Saying that she will engage in her own politics against the government is walking the past path of Yoo Seong-min,” and lawmaker Kim Young-sun said, “She is only betraying the aspirations that the people have for President Yoon and is simply thirsty for a position that will bring her fame.” The Office of the President has yet to release its position on Na’s decision to resign as vice chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, which she announced on Tuesday. Some experts claim it is because if the presidential office accepts Na’s resignation, it will appear as if they approved Na’s bid for party leader. The ruling party seemed to be engaging in joint attacks on Na, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo saying he did not agree with Na’s opinion on cancelling loans on Wednesday.

Na Kyung-won may be trying to retain her image as a pro-Yoon candidate by repeatedly emphasizing the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government. After all, it will be hard to win if she is labeled a non-Yoon candidate even if she makes a bid for party leader in the upcoming party convention, where the leader will be determined 100% by the votes of party members, in the early days of the Yoon government. She is sending out a message clearly different from former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min, who has been fiercely criticizing President Yoon, and is silencing rumors of a Na-Yoo alliance inside the party. On Wednesday, when a reporter asked Na if she would be identified as a non-Yoon candidate if she runs in the party convention, she answered, “Just because they label me doesn’t mean that I will be labeled.”

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won (right), a candidate for the PPP leader, speaks with lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo at the New Year’s greeting of the PPP Seoul office held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on January 11. National Assembly press photographers

According to the poll released by Hangil Research Wednesday, Na Kyung-won was ahead in the race for PPP leader with 30.7% of support among PPP supporters. The survey of 1,020 adults nationwide was conducted on January 7-9, when Na was under intense fire from the Office of the President. Support for Na actually increased 8.4% from a survey conducted by the same firm three weeks before. Na was followed by lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon (18.8%), former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min (14.6%), and lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo (13.9%). Many politicians expected Na to decide on her bid after observing future changes in her support.

PPP members who are not pro-Yoon have mixed views on Na Kyung-won depending on their interests. There is still some resentment against Na for turning the party into a conservative hardliner when she was the floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, but there have also been attempts to seek a strategic alliance as pro-Yoon members attacked Na. Yoo Seong-min, a typical non-Yoon contender, has yet to announce his bid for party leader, and such uncertainty appears to be fueling such movements. Kim Yong-tae, a former member of the PPP Supreme Council who has been mentioned as a Supreme Council candidate from the non-Yoon group, appeared on the MBC radio show, Kim Jong-bae’s Focus on Wednesday and said, “It is the mission of a politician for a candidate wanted by the people and party members to respond to such support,” and encouraged Na to run for party leader. As for the Na-Yoo partnership, he said, “Since Yoon’s key aides claim they are on the blue team, while driving the rest into the opposing white team in this sports meet, if the white team candidates share values and reach an agreement, then I think we can discuss this when the time comes.”

The survey conducted by Hangil Research had a confidence level of 95% with a ±3.1% margin of error. For the survey outline and details of the results, you can refer to the Hangil Research or National Election Commission websites.