Na Kyung-won Facing 'Pro-Japanese Collaborator' Comments: "There Are More Pro-Japanese on Their Side"

People Power Party Actively Explains in Face of Negative Comments
Oh Se-hoon "Free School Meals Referendum, Its Meaning Will Be Highly Appreciated"
Oh Shin-hwan "Former Actor? Theater Should Be Done with Sincerity, Not Pretending"
Jo Eun-hee "Gangnam Ajumma? I Am from a Rural Background"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The People Power Party's Seoul mayoral primary candidates attempted a direct breakthrough against voters' negative images such as ‘pro-Japanese collaborator’, ‘mayor who risked position over free school meals’, ‘opportunist’, and ‘Gangnam ajumma’.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 1st, during the People Power Party Seoul mayoral primary TV debate hosted by TV Chosun, the candidates directly addressed negative comments about themselves through a segment called ‘Better to have bad comments than no comments’.

First, candidate Na Kyung-won addressed the ‘pro-Japanese collaborator’ controversy by saying, "I think being pro-Japanese is a challenge we need to overcome now. There are more pro-Japanese collaborators on the other side," adding, "I believe the wise people will now forget about it." Regarding the criticism of being unpopular, she said, "Looking at the polls, I am not the candidate with the highest unpopularity."

Candidate Oh Se-hoon responded to the criticism that he "risked his life over free school meals and is now a warm conservative" by calling it "a frame imposed by the Democratic Party." Oh explained, "It wasn’t that we didn’t want to feed the children," adding, "We intended to create after-school learning programs for poor children, but I risked my position excessively." He said, "Because we fought excessively, I risked my position," but also stated, "I am truly sorry, but I believe that intention will be highly appreciated."

Candidate Oh Shin-hwan, regarding a comment saying, "If you had acted continuously with Song Kang-ho, you would have filmed Parasite," said, "It is true that I majored in acting," adding, "I did theater out of interest in social change and people, and even now, the process of doing politics is an extension of acting." He emphasized, "Acting is not pretending but doing it sincerely with all your heart, which I studied and learned," and added, "Politics also requires sincerity, and when I deal with residents, my heart is conveyed and connected."

Candidate Cho Eun-hee actively responded to the criticism that "only Gangnam rich people are commoners" by saying, "Actually, I am a country chicken (a rustic person)." She mentioned moving to Seoul and living there, highlighting that she has lived a commoner's life. She also introduced welfare-related efforts, mentioning the establishment of the ‘Bright Future Bureau’ at Seocho District Office to promote solidarity with the vulnerable and her early proposal of the ‘Gangnam-North Seoul Coexistence Fund.’ Cho added, "Looking at the path I have lived and my administrative philosophy, I believe I will receive positive comments rather than negative ones."

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