Na Kyung-won and Geum Tae-seop Also to Meet... Will the Opposition's Unification Timeline Accelerate?

Discussion on Opposition Unity and Political Realignment Before Presidential Election
O Sehun, Kim Jongin and Others in People Power Party Accelerate Unity Efforts

Former National Assembly member Na Kyung-won, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] With about 50 days remaining until the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, efforts to unify opposition candidates have intensified. On the 14th, Na Kyung-won, the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate and former lawmaker, will meet with Geum Tae-seop, a former lawmaker and third-zone candidate, to discuss opposition unification.

That afternoon, former lawmaker Na plans to walk along the Namsan Dulle-gil trail in Jung-gu, Seoul, with former lawmaker Geum and engage in conversation. It is known that during this meeting, Na and Geum will discuss opposition unification for the Seoul mayoral election and the reorganization of the opposition political landscape after the election. Kim Yong-nam, spokesperson for Na Kyung-won's campaign, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "Former lawmaker Na proposed the meeting to former lawmaker Geum first," adding, "They plan to discuss not only opposition unification for the Seoul mayoral by-election but also the reorganization of the opposition political landscape before the presidential election."

On the previous day, former lawmaker Na stated on Facebook, "On the 10th, during a meeting with journalists, I proposed the 'Alliance of Liberal Common Sense,'" and added, "I mentioned the need to create a 'large vessel for grand opposition unity' immediately after the by-elections." Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also appeared on MBN's 'News Wide' on the same day, expressing willingness to jointly manage Seoul City with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, indicating that concrete details of opposition unification are beginning to take shape.

Previously, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, had stated in official settings, "Opposition candidate unification will be discussed after our candidate is decided," but in a Channel A interview on the 12th, he changed his stance, saying, "Given recent circumstances, unification is unavoidable," and "Opposition unification is inevitable." In response, spokesperson Kim said, "There is no reason for the People Power Party and third-zone parties not to meet before selecting their final candidates," adding, "Communication like this is necessary for the unification expected to take place in early to mid-March." When asked if there is willingness to discuss with Ahn and Assemblyman Cho Jeong-hoon of the Transition Era Party, he emphasized, "We will approach this with an open attitude."

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