'Refusal to Resign' Reports... Na Kyung-won Faces a Dilemma

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who stepped down from the position of Vice Chairman of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, has found herself in a deadlock as reports emerged that the Presidential Office would not accept her resignation. The pro-Yoon faction is once again urging her to 'not run,' while the anti-Yoon faction criticizes the Presidential Office for experiencing 'identity confusion.'

Jang Ye-chan, chairman of the Youth Foundation and classified as 'pro-Yoon (親尹),' said on MBC's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 12th, "It might become somewhat difficult for her to run," adding, "Although Na Kyung-won is deeply contemplating, after resolving policy-related confusion and confirming the President's affectionate message, she might temporarily shift her focus to the low birthrate crisis or climate crisis."

Former Lawmaker Na Kyung-won Attending Seoul City Party New Year's Meeting
Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

This follows media reports that the Presidential Office expressed its intention not to accept Na's resignation, citing "President Yoon Seok-yeol's great affection." He pointed out, "The President's message of 'affection and no consideration of resignation' means she should work harder at the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee. What political motive would there be to go against that and submit a resignation to the Ministry of Personnel Management? The moment that happens, various difficulties could arise."

Kim Haeng, a member of the ruling party's emergency committee, advised on BBS's "Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal," "The stance between holding a political office and running for party leadership has become somewhat tangled," adding, "Na Kyung-won needs to correct herself. She must take responsibility for her actions." This is effectively advice to not run.

On the other hand, Kim Woong, a People Power Party lawmaker aligned with the pro-Lee Jun-seok faction, shared the article on his social media on the same day, stating, "The Presidential Office two days ago and the current one are different, and their relationship is like that of strangers. Otherwise, it is certain that our country's Presidential Office exists as two separate entities." He criticized the temperature difference of the Presidential Office, which was said to have 'exploded at Na Kyung-won' just two days ago but now mentions affection, describing it as close to 'identity confusion.'

Also classified as pro-Lee Jun-seok, Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, assessed that if Na Kyung-won confronts President Yoon Seok-yeol, her support bubble might burst, but under the runoff voting system, there could be an expansion of the 'anti-Yoon' faction. On KBS's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," he said, "If Na Kyung-won advances to the runoff and the structure becomes 'pro-Yoon vs. anti-pro-Yoon,' there will be expansion toward the anti-pro-Yoon side. If only the first place is chosen, (lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun's) chances might be slightly higher, but the runoff presents another issue."

In the opposition camp, the Presidential Office's pressure on Na Kyung-won is criticized as 'interference in party affairs.' On the same day, Cho Eung-cheon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, appeared on YTN's "News King with Park Ji-hoon" and expressed concern, saying, "She expressed her intention to resign, but it cannot be accepted. It's truly incomprehensible," and added, "(President Yoon Seok-yeol) clearly said he would not interfere in party affairs, but it seems he is intervening too deeply."

Meanwhile, Na Kyung-won has yet to clarify her position, stating she is still "considering whether to run" since expressing her intention to resign.

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