Na Kyung-won "Broadly Considering Running for Seoul Mayor... May Run Personally or Support"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Na Kyung-won, former lawmaker of the Liberty Korea Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), on the 28th avoided giving a definite answer regarding the possibility of running in the Seoul mayoral by-election next April, saying, "I am broadly considering what role I can play in the Seoul mayoral race, the party convention, and the next presidential election."

Na said this on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs,' adding, "I have not specifically focused only on running for Seoul mayor."

He stated, "There are various political schedules, including next year's Seoul mayoral election, our party's convention, and the next presidential election," and added, "I am keeping an open mind about what role I can play in this process to create a Republic of Korea where common sense is restored and the constitution is upheld."

When asked if he is considering running for president, Na replied, "Overall, in that process, there will be times when I directly participate and times when I assist."

Regarding Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, declaring his candidacy for Seoul mayor, Na said, "I welcome the shared recognition that this election should be a judgment on the Moon Jae-in administration and an election for victory in next year's presidential race."

Na emphasized, "The most important thing is that the opposition must not be divided," and added, "In this regard, we must work together without worrying about minor advantages or disadvantages." This is interpreted as meaning that Ahn should compete under the same conditions as the People Power Party candidates in the primary.

Meanwhile, regarding the recent decision by the prosecution to dismiss all 13 accusations filed against him and his children, Na said, "After the former Minister Cho Kuk’s case erupted last September, the ruling party tried to counterattack by using civic groups to file complaints," and added, "Seeing the verdict on Professor Jung Kyung-shim (Cho’s wife), I think the prosecution decided it should not delay any longer and closed the cases."

When asked by the host about some people still claiming that inequality of opportunity is the essence, Na rebutted, "The prosecution concluded that it is clear that (my son) was the main author who directly conducted the experiments and wrote the paper." However, Na added, "There have been criticisms about preferential treatment in the use of the laboratory, and I have thought a lot about whether I was not thoughtful enough while hearing such criticisms," and said, "I believe we need to think together about how opportunities can be more open and used fairly."

Regarding calls from some within the ruling party to impeach Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Na criticized, "I think this is really moving toward the third stage of judicial control," and said, "It goes against the common sense and legal sentiment of ordinary citizens."

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