Na Kyung-won: "Settle the matter with Ahn and Oh? I cannot agree... I will do what is necessary for the opposition's victory"

Hong Joon-pyo: "For the ruling party to overcome organizational voting... all 'Big 3' must run"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Na Kyung-won, former floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, stated on the 12th regarding the Seoul mayoral by-election, "Ultimately, this election is also related to next year's presidential race," and added, "It is right to do what we can for the opposition's victory."

After meeting with Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, at a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Na told reporters, "All the accusations against me at the end of last year have been cleared with no charges. Now it is time for me to speak to the citizens of Seoul," and said, "Former leader Hong gave me words of encouragement, saying, 'You made a good decision to run this time, so work hard and win.'

Regarding being mentioned as a member of the group responsible for resolving the situation along with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and Oh Se-hoon, former mayor of Seoul, Na said, "One person helped create the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, and the other gave up their position," adding, "I ran at the party's urging during a very difficult time, so I find it hard to agree with being grouped together."

Former leader Hong said, "I hope to create a big stage. All of the big three should run for the opposition wind to blow," and added, "The by-election is about organized voting. To break through the Democratic Party's organized voting, all must run to create an opposition field."

Hong also said, "Ahn is rising now because citizens see him as a mayoral candidate. If former leader Na is also recognized similarly, he can definitely break through," and added, "I hope he does not get caught up in minor issues, but behaves and promotes policies so that Seoul citizens recognize him as a future leader."

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