Na Kyung-won Declares Candidacy Targeting Ahn: "A Person Who Helped the Regime at Every Political Turning Point"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won officially declared her candidacy for Seoul mayor, targeting Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, who advocates for 'opposition unity.' Her Seoul mayoral pledges include operating vaccine shuttle buses, implementing a Seoul-style basic income system, and easing reconstruction and redevelopment regulations.

On the morning of the 13th, at Yongsan Mukja Alley in Seoul, former lawmaker Na said, "How can someone who ultimately helped this administration at every important political turning point represent the opposition?" and announced, "I will run in the April Seoul mayoral by-election."

She criticized Ahn for choosing concession at crucial political turning points, which ultimately aided the ruling party. She emphasized, "We must declare a break from injustice with the opposition’s victory in the Seoul mayoral election and restore fairness and justice. The question is, 'Who will do it?'" She added, "While some hide, hesitate, and repeat ambiguous positions, I have raised the flag of struggle high."

Former lawmaker Na pointed to her opposition to the mixed-member proportional representation system and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, stating, "It is Na Kyung-won, who stands firm with such resolve, who is best suited to judge this administration," and targeted Ahn by saying, "We cannot entrust this critical election to those who easily back down and weigh pros and cons." She also highlighted that this Seoul mayoral election originated from former Mayor Park’s sexual harassment allegations, saying, "Only a candidate with the sensitivity to truly understand women’s hearts can guarantee victory in this election."

She announced plans to operate vaccine shuttle buses throughout Seoul and secure additional beds and medical personnel for severe COVID-19 patients to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). She also emphasized introducing a Seoul-style basic income system and establishing a 6 trillion won 'Emergency Livelihood Rescue Fund.' COVID-19 unemployed individuals will be hired through a 'COVID-19 Crisis Response Special Recruitment' to manage blind spots.

She also proposed solutions for education and real estate issues. She plans to create 25 excellent school districts in Seoul’s 25 districts and open 2 to 3 municipal global communication centers in each district, allowing foreign language education at an affordable cost of 20,000 to 30,000 won per month. She promised to block the root causes of soaring official land prices and ease reconstruction and redevelopment regulations.

She raised her voice, saying, "Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Tsai Ing-wen, President of Taiwan, both successful female leaders in COVID-19 prevention, show that their tough yet delicate leadership is exactly what Seoul needs now."

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