Na Kyung-won: "Am I the 'Pro-Japanese' Nabe? In Japan, I'm Treated as an 'Anti-Japanese Politician'"

Former Na Kyung-won, United Future Party (currently People Power Party) lawmaker. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Former Future United Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Na Kyung-won revealed behind-the-scenes stories of the 20th National Assembly on the 19th through her memoir, stating, "Domestically, opposition factions and the media label me as 'pro-Japanese,' but in Japan, I am branded as an 'anti-Japanese politician.'"

According to a Yonhap News report on the day, Na said in her memoir, Testimony of Na Kyung-won, "'Nabe' is an unavoidable related search term when it comes to 'politician Na Kyung-won,'" referring to the malicious portmanteau mixing one character of her surname with that of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe.

Na pointed out, "There is no easier and more powerful weapon to attack politicians, social leaders, or celebrities than the 'pro-Japanese frame.' If one shrinks back due to temporary negative public opinion and media attacks, more persistent attacks begin from that point."

She added, "One should not seek answers in the wrong places just because of a few significant election losses. That is politics lacking courage," and insisted, "We must have confidence in what we believe to be right."

In her memoir, Na also introduced a 'private meeting' she had with Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min during the late last year phase of handling the mixed-member proportional representation system and the establishment of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC).

According to Na, Noh stated that the mixed-member proportional representation system "is a 'progressive agenda' that was publicly declared with the launch of the Moon Jae-in administration and cannot be abandoned."

Regarding the HCIC, Noh reportedly maintained the stance that "it must not be launched after President Moon's term ends, and it can be considered if it is done at least six months before the end of the term."

Na evaluated the 'Fast-Track Clash Incident' in her memoir as "an indelible stain in our political history," but also said it "gave energy to our party, which was in disarray after the impeachment crisis."

The memoir also revealed stories about former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who was a classmate of Na at Seoul National University Law School. Na said, "His nickname during university was 'Big-mouthed Frog,'" and added, "Cho Kuk was not classified as a member of the activist group at the time, and in terms of recognition, he was no match for classmate Won Hee-ryong."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.