Na Kyung-won Hesitates to Run for Party Leader... Kim Eun-hye Says "No Recycling" vs Lee Jun-seok "Welcomes"

Kim Eun-hye "We Need to 'Reshuffle the Board' in Difficult Times"
Lee Jun-seok "April 7 By-election, Na Kyung-won's Courageous Decision Boosted Primary Election Excitement"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Opinions are divided within the party over former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won's contemplation of whether to run for party leader. While some welcome Na's candidacy, others argue that "a radical leadership change is necessary for winning the presidential election."

Kim Eun-hye, who declared her candidacy for the People Power Party leadership, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 17th and expressed regret over the rumors of Na's participation in the party convention.

She said, "(Na Kyung-won) is a valuable asset, and I wonder if such candidacy rumors arise because the party is worried," adding, "It might be a sign that the pool of veteran talent has been depleted to the extent that someone who lost the Seoul mayoral primary just two months ago has to be called upon."

She continued, "In difficult times, we need to 'reshape the board,' not 'recycle' leadership," and said, "If the future versus past confrontation intensifies with her (Na Kyung-won) entering, it will only strengthen that dynamic."

When the host asked, "You mean to say that although Na is personally a good person, you oppose her running as the party's main candidate because it would feel like 'returning to the old Korean Party' or 'recycling' leadership?" Kim replied, "I don't think it's much different."

Former Supreme Council Member Lee Jun-seok running for the People Power Party leadership election. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In contrast, another leadership contender, former People Power Party Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok, said, "I have a different view from Kim. I hope and welcome former floor leader Na Kyung-won's candidacy."

Lee posted on his Facebook that "During the recent Seoul mayoral by-election, despite having good candidates, our party was shaken by vague fears and external winds, but the courageous decisions of Oh Se-hoon and Na Kyung-won made the primary competitive."

He added, "We conveniently chose either Mayor Oh Se-hoon or former floor leader Na Kyung-won as the candidate, but I firmly believed that whoever ran would have secured our party's victory," and said, "At the party convention, various party factions should compete, and the sacrifices made during difficult elections must always be respected as valuable experience and political lines."

Meanwhile, Na Kyung-won is still deliberating on whether to run. She appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' that morning and said, "I'm still making a final decision on whether to take the role of party leader or another role."

Regarding the first-term lawmakers' challenge for party leadership, she said, "Our party's ability to change and be more democratic than the ruling party is shown in this aspect, and I want to applaud their courage and challenge."

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