Na Kyung-won on Yoon's 'Shoe Stomping Controversy': "He Has a Foot Condition, So Standing for Long Is Uncomfortable"

"Opposition Unification, Negotiation Format Is Appropriate When There Is a Large Gap in Approval Ratings"

Na Kyung-won, head of the People Power Party's Seoul regional election campaign headquarters, defended Yoon Seok-yeol, the party's presidential candidate, regarding the so-called 'train shoe stamp' controversy.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Na Kyung-won, head of the People Power Party's Seoul regional election campaign headquarters, defended People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol's so-called 'train shoe sole' controversy, saying, "I understand he has a foot condition, so it seems he made a mistake due to discomfort."

Earlier, on the 12th, candidate Yoon was photographed with his shoe sole resting on the front seat of a facing train while touring Honam on the 'Passion Train,' a Mugunghwa train he had chartered, sparking controversy.

The ruling party criticized this, citing 'public morality' and 'lack of common sense.' On the 13th, Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election campaign committee, held a briefing at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "This is a seat used by the public. There is no consideration for others, no civic awareness, and no public morality," and criticized, "Yoon's poor manners and lack of common sense, relying on privilege and authority throughout his life, are no longer surprising."

Regarding this, on the 16th, Na appeared on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start of a New Morning' and said, "I understand candidate Yoon said his foot goes numb," adding, "There are spasms, and when standing for a long time, it might have been uncomfortable, so he put his foot up," defending candidate Yoon.

Na acknowledged, "It was a wrong appearance and looked bad," but argued, "During elections, there are big and small controversies. This was our mistake, but perhaps because the Democratic Party feels cornered, they tend to amplify trivial matters into controversies."

Regarding unification with Ahn Cheol-soo, presidential candidate of the People Party, Na said, "Candidate Yoon ran for election with the support and will of the people who want a regime change. There is no room for debate that we must go the path of unification," but pointed out, "Usually, polls decide when support rates are similar, but there is a gap between the two candidates' support rates."

He further explained difficulties in deciding the polling method. Na said, "It varies greatly depending on how the first question is started and whether the 'opposition unification poll' is included. It's not just about including a reverse choice clause; the process seems tedious," adding, "When support rates are close and it's hard to determine superiority, such methods should be used to proceed with unification, but in this case, meeting in a narrow setting for a final negotiation is appropriate."

Regarding the appearance of Yoon's spouse, Kim Geon-hee, he said, "We wonder if she will come out even to the campaign sites, and I think she will naturally make public appearances," adding, "There are both pre-announcements and post-announcements, so I think she will engage in activities naturally."

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