Is It Because of the Heuksujeo-Geumsujeo Controversy?…Hong Jun-pyo and Na Kyung-won’s Long-Standing Feud

Hong Jun-pyo, Conflict Intensifies Over Criticism of Na Kyung-won's Spouse
Nearly 20 Years of Political Ties but Emotional Clash
Differences in Upbringing and Background Also Fuel Conflict

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] "A couple's mutual support driven solely by ambition for success" (Hong Jun-pyo, Mayor of Daegu)

"You must take clear responsibility for that remark." (Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won’s side)

The verbal sparring between former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, a frontrunner for the ruling party leadership, and Hong Jun-pyo, the ruling party’s advisor and Mayor of Daegu, is heating up. While others competing against Na in the party convention are signaling 'alliance' and extending hands, Hong’s criticism of Na is hard to understand even considering his status as a senior and advisor of the party. Analysts suggest this stems from their 'bad blood' that has lasted over a decade.

First Competition at the 2010 Party Convention

Hong and Na were rivals in the 2010 Hannara Party leadership convention. At that time, Na, unusually for a female lawmaker, secured 3rd place in the convention, winning a Supreme Council member seat on her own merit. Hong finished 2nd after competing with lawmaker Ahn Sang-soo, also securing a Supreme Council position. Although Na topped the 'public sentiment' vote and emerged as a threatening 'political rising star,' there was no notable clash between the two then.

Their relationship soured a year later during the Seoul mayoral by-election. Following the resignation of former Mayor Oh Se-hoon amid the 'free school meals referendum' controversy, Hong, who was serving as party leader after Ahn’s resignation, strongly urged Na to run in the by-election.

However, amid the '100 million won dermatology clinic' scandal, Na lost to Park Won-soon, the opposition candidate and former Seoul mayor. Hong believed Na’s inadequate handling of the scandal led to the defeat. After the Seoul mayoral election loss and the subsequent 'DDoS incident,' Hong eventually stepped down as party leader at the end of that year.

Crossing the Point of No Return After Park’s Impeachment

Their relationship deteriorated irreparably after President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment. Hong was elected leader of the Liberty Korea Party in July 2017, just two months after losing the presidential election, at a time when Na was at the center of the 'anti-Hong' faction.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In December that year, ahead of the floor leader election, when Na criticized the 'Hong Jun-pyo factionalization,' Hong retorted, "Those who used to sway like willows under Park Geun-hye’s faction now talk about ‘Hong Jun-pyo factionalization.’" Ultimately, the floor leader was Kim Sung-tae, a pro-Hong lawmaker, but Na joined forces with anti-Hong senior lawmakers to publicly demand democratic party management, setting herself against Hong.

In 2018, their bad blood drew attention again when it was revealed on the radio that Hong, then party leader, did not attend Na’s mother’s funeral. Na expressed her disappointment on TBS’s 'Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory,' saying, "Hong knew but still did not come to the funeral." Hong resigned as party leader after the June 13 local election defeat that year, while Na was elected the first female floor leader in December.

Their feud continued in 2019. Hong blamed Na, the floor leader, for the appointment of Cho Kuk as Minister of Justice, urging her resignation with the remark, "A commander who fails in battle is sometimes beheaded during the war." Lawmaker Min Kyung-wook criticized this as "internal stabbing." Soon after, when allegations of Na’s 'overseas childbirth' surfaced, the party was the first to demand disclosure of her son’s nationality, causing a stir.

Hong Jun-pyo, Self-Proclaimed 'Dirt Spoon,' vs. Na Kyung-won, Perceived 'Gold Spoon'

In early 2021, Na met with Hong ahead of her Seoul mayoral bid to clear the accumulated grudges, but she did not agree to 'settle the matter' regarding responsibility for the Seoul mayoral election 10 years ago, revealing persistent differences in perspective. This suggests their discord is not easily resolved.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Their bad blood seems to stem not only from political interests but also emotional reasons. Hong, who calls himself a 'dirt spoon,' has recently openly expressed resentment toward Na, who is perceived as a 'gold spoon.'

Through social media, he said, "In the May 2017 impeachment presidential election, I went out as a scapegoat and endured all kinds of humiliation and ridicule; before the June 2018 local elections, I suffered all sorts of humiliation and ridicule from old factions within the party. I did not show this for the sake of creating a conservative government and stabilizing the new regime. However, seeing some gold spoon-born individuals again trying to build their positions through hypocrisy and internal shaking, I expressed my thoughts frankly."

On another social media post, he stated, "I really hate the hypocrisy of gold spoon-born people who commit all sorts of corruption while pretending to be dignified alone. I also dislike those without wealth who do not try to become rich but only view the world with hatred, but I hate even more those wealthy people who act aloof and manipulate the world with hypocrisy." Although he did not mention any names, the political circle interpreted this as a remark targeting Na Kyung-won.

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