Amid the Second 'Jinbak Discriminator' Controversy... Na Says "Yoon's 40 Trillion Won is Heartwarming"

Pro-Yoon and Anti-Yoon Core Positions Solidifying in Na
Jang Je-won: "Don't Become the 'Second Yoo Seung-min'"
Kim Sung-tae: "I Know Why He Didn't Become Minister"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who was abruptly dismissed from her positions as Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee and Climate Ambassador by President Yoon Suk-yeol, expressed her emotions by saying she is "overwhelmed with joy" upon hearing the news of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s 40 trillion won investment decision. This reflects her continued intention to maintain a 'pro-Yoon' stance despite conflicts with Yoon's core insiders (Yoon 핵관) within the party. She is expected to announce her candidacy once President Yoon returns from his overseas trip.

On the 16th, Na Kyung-won posted on her social media, "President Yoon, who said 'the main purpose of this trip is economic achievements,' has secured an investment attraction worth 40 trillion won just two days into the trip. I am overwhelmed with joy," she said.

She added, "Although difficulties were experienced due to the Moon Jae-in administration's continuous nuclear phase-out policy, President Yoon and our People Power Party have persistently advocated for the abolition of the nuclear phase-out, and normalization is underway following the regime change. This 40 trillion won investment decision by the UAE is a result driven by the regime change and President Yoon's strong will.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

She continued, "Visiting the Barakah nuclear power plant construction site, which was exported during the Lee Myung-bak administration, and the remaining schedule of the trip will also serve as a foundation for national development," and added, "I thank President Yoon for achieving such great results and hope he completes the remaining schedule in good health and returns safely."

Earlier, through SNS, she directly criticized Yoon 핵관 such as lawmaker Jang Je-won, saying, "Can a party manipulated by a second 'Jinbak detector' really win the general election and protect the Yoon Suk-yeol government? The nightmare of 2016 comes to mind." Nevertheless, she appears to have solidified a pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon 핵관 position while maintaining her pro-Yoon mode.

On the other hand, the pro-Yoon faction refers to her as the 'second Yoo Seung-min' and is pushing her into the anti-Yoon and anti-Yoon 핵관 camp. Lawmaker Jang said on SNS the day before, "I have no intention of becoming the 'second Jinbak detector,' so I hope former lawmaker Na does not become the 'second Yoo Seung-min,'" and criticized, "We do not need politicians who think, 'I must become party leader and score goals,' or 'I must become a star.'"

Despite the pro-Yoon faction's offensive, Na Kyung-won seems to be firming up her intention to run. Park Jong-hee, a former People Power Party lawmaker assisting Na, said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "Since the president is abroad for national interests, it is somewhat inappropriate to announce intentions during that period," and added, "I understand she will announce her intentions after President Yoon returns."

Recently, there have been rumors that Kim Min-su, former head of the Bundang-eul district party committee in Gyeonggi Province, was appointed as her spokesperson. Kim Jong-hyuk, a People Power Party emergency committee member, relayed on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' the results of a phone call with former party committee head Kim, saying, "He said he has never been appointed spokesperson and has never heard such a thing," and added, "Whether Kim was appointed spokesperson or not, it seems Na Kyung-won is leaning toward running."

However, there is also a possibility of another obstacle to Na Kyung-won's candidacy. Former lawmaker Kim Sung-tae appeared on KBS radio on the evening of the 13th and said, "There were talks about positions such as Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Health and Welfare ministers, and I understand there were specific procedures underway," adding, "She herself knows well why she did not become a minister."

This implies there are risks surrounding Na Kyung-won. Since ministerial positions require passing a confirmation hearing, it can be interpreted that there were disqualifying factors that prevented her appointment. Former Minister Park Young-sun expressed concern on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' saying, "Conversely, this suggests that the pro-Yoon faction or the presidential office holds another card regarding former lawmaker Na."

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