Na Kyung-won: "If Democratic Party supporters are included in unification, is it really an opposition candidate?"

"I will not mention the rules as a candidate," yet

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, a candidate for the People Power Party's Seoul mayoral primary, is speaking at a startup meeting held on the 3rd at Tipstown S6 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Na Kyung-won, a preliminary candidate from the People Power Party running in the Seoul mayoral by-election, stated on the 25th that when selecting a unified opposition candidate, "If ruling party supporters are included, the term 'opposition candidate' may not be appropriate," but she expressed that she would not argue over the rules.

On the same day, Na appeared on KBS Radio's Choi Kang Sisa and responded to a question about whether including Democratic Party supporters would be disadvantageous by saying, "Regardless of advantage or disadvantage, I believe that itself goes against the principles of democracy."

She explained, "We are selecting a unified opposition candidate. It is an opposition candidate when chosen by those who support the opposition, are members of opposition parties, or at least are not supporters of the ruling party," adding, "If ruling party supporters are included, the term 'opposition candidate' may not be appropriate."

The People Power Party plans to select the final candidate through a 100% public primary. Because of this, concerns have been raised that some ruling party supporters might engage in 'reverse voting' to eliminate competitive candidates.

Regarding this, Na said, "Our party's rules also have issues from the perspective of party democracy," but added, "However, as a candidate, I will not argue over the rules."

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