Na Kyung-won: "Opposition Unity or Division at a Crossroads... Difficult to Build Trust in Presidential Candidates from Specific Factions"

People Power Party Leadership Relay Interview ⑩ Former Lawmaker Na Kyung-won
"Objective and Quantitative Nomination Criteria"... Pledge for Real-Time Live Broadcast of Nomination Meetings
"Regime Change More Important Than Generational Change Right Now"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] "If the party leader belongs to a specific presidential candidate faction, it is difficult to build trust. I am worried that this might lead to a division of the opposition."

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who is running for the People Power Party leadership election, said in an interview with Asia Economy on the 27th that the leadership "characteristics" of the main opposition party leader could change the landscape of next year's presidential election. She first mentioned the remarks of Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, made the day before. Floor leader Kwon said that if former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok becomes party leader, "we cannot expect a flexible and open opposition unification." In response, Na said, "Politics has been conducted not for the people but among themselves for their own benefit," adding, "In this process, factionalism has taken hold, and minority vested interest politics has become possible."

In this context, Na said she would confront the long-standing ‘faction problem’ that has put the party in crisis head-on. Advocating for a ‘people’s faction’ rather than belonging to a specific faction, she analyzed, "Until now, candidate nominations have been based not on those who sacrificed and devoted themselves to the party but on factors such as who is close to whom, which has weakened the party’s human resources." She added, "I will objectify and quantify these aspects." Na proposed introducing a system to broadcast all candidate nomination meetings in real time as part of her party leadership pledges.

Regarding criticism that she herself is not free from factional politics, she said, "It is hard to understand," and countered, "I have received support from those who have protected the party and those who have not left." Within the party, there are talks that Na is supported by the old pro-Park (pro-Park Geun-hye) faction.

Regarding the ‘generation change’ movement centered on former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok in this party leadership election, she said, "I acknowledge the necessity," but added, "Now is not the time." Na responded, "While generation change is important, the most important spirit of this party convention should be regime change."

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