The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWINFINITE's Nam Woo-hyun returns after battling with rare cancer

  • 3

    NATO chief says Ukraine inflicting 'heavy losses' on Russian forces

  • 5

    Robots slowly integrating into everyday life in Korea

  • 7

    Korea to double ceiling of immediate tax refund for foreign tourists

  • 9

    American man booked for writing graffiti in 155 locations across Seoul

  • 11

    Nexon, Kakao Games accused of using feminist hand gesture in promotional videos

  • 13

    Samsung retains top CEOs, launches unit to prepare for future

  • 15

    Mohegan Inspire integrated resort to hold soft opening in Incheon Nov. 30

  • 17

    Record 165,000 migrant workers to enter Korea next year

  • 19

    Hyundai Motor chief named industry leader by Automotive News

  • 2

    2023 MAMA AWARDS hits Tokyo Dome with stellar lineup

  • 4

    Enhypen's 'Orange Blood' debuts at No. 4 on Billboard 200

  • 6

    Final vote for Expo venue to take place today

  • 8

    Population of young Koreans expected to halve by 2050

  • 10

    Koreans need $2,830 a month after retirement: study

  • 12

    Former Hungarian ambassador honored with Gwanghwa Medal

  • 14

    Police lift travel ban on G-Dragon, request extension for actor Lee Sun-kyun

  • 16

    PHOTOSIt's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 18

    Korea attends NATO-led cyberdefense exercise

  • 20

    YG's new girl group Babymonster debuts

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, November 29, 2023 | 08:26
Politics
Na bows out of PPP leadership race
Posted : 2023-01-25 10:55
Updated : 2023-01-25 17:24
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
                                                                                                 Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won holds a press conference at the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, Jan. 25. Yonhap
Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won holds a press conference at the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, Jan. 25. Yonhap

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won said Wednesday she will not run for leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), giving in to apparent objections from the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol and raising questions about whom her supporters will back instead.

Na said she made the decision because she does not want to see division in the party.

"I will courageously lay it down if it can prevent people's concern about division and confusion in our party and help the party return to harmony and unity," Na said during a press conference. "If my backing off can shine the future of all of us, I think that will also be a step forward."

Whether Na will run or not has been a key focus of attention, because her running could significantly affect the chances of Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, the current front-runner, widely believed to be backed by Yoon's office.

The race carries added significance, as the next leader will oversee the party through next year's parliamentary elections and could affect decisions on who should be given party nominations.

Na, a former four-time lawmaker, was considered a strong favorite in the PPP leadership race, placing among the three favorite candidates, alongside Kim and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, in the latest opinion polls.

In a poll of 2,002 adults conducted by Embrain Public on Sunday and Monday, 25.4 percent of the 784 respondents who identified as PPP supporters picked Kim as their favorite. Ahn and Na trailed at 22.3 percent and 16.9 percent, respectively.

The result, however, changed when they were asked who they would support if a runoff election were held, with 49.8 percent saying they would vote for Ahn and 39.4 percent for Kim.

                                                                                                 Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won holds a press conference at the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, Jan. 25. Yonhap
Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won holds a press conference at the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, Jan. 25. Yonhap

Na ruled out the possibility of supporting either candidate, saying there is "no room" for her to play a role in the runup to the national convention.

Kim welcomed Na's decision, touting it as the "foundation" for the ruling party's victory in the general elections. Ahn, however, voiced regret, claiming her running would have given more options to party members and drawn public attention to the party election.

Yoon's office has openly expressed opposition to Na's running, rebuffing a proposal she proposed as vice chair of the presidential population committee and firing her not only as vice chair of the committee but also as climate ambassador.

Tensions further escalated after Yoon's chief of staff, Kim Dae-ki, openly rebuffed her claims that Yoon's decision to fire her as vice chair of a presidential committee and a climate ambassador could have been influenced by "distorted" accounts from those against her.

Na said she wishes for the "genuine success" of Yoon's administration and stressed that the party should pursue inclusiveness.

"A party is the root of free democracy politics. We should make sure to cherish inclusiveness and respect," she said. "I will wish the Yoon Suk Yeol government a genuine success."

The PPP is scheduled to hold a national convention on March 8 to pick a new leader.

The next leader will be decided only by a vote of party members, and a run-off election will be held unless anyone wins a majority of votes.

In addition to Kim and Ahn, Reps. Cho Kyung-tae and Yoon Sang-hyun have declared their leadership bids. (Yonhap)

                                                                                                 Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won holds a press conference at the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party in Seoul, Jan. 25. Yonhap
Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party, bites her lip during a press conference at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Jan. 25. Yonhap
 
Top 10 Stories
1[PHOTOS] It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas PHOTOSIt's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
2US, S. Korea cast doubt over NK's satellite photos US, S. Korea cast doubt over NK's satellite photos
3How can Korea become more migrant-friendly? How can Korea become more migrant-friendly?
4Busan loses bid to host World Expo 2030 Busan loses bid to host World Expo 2030
5Why are major South Korean stocks persistently undervalued? Why are major South Korean stocks persistently undervalued?
6As Christmas nears, people feel growing income disparityAs Christmas nears, people feel growing income disparity
7Hyundai Motor unveils universal wheel drive system Hyundai Motor unveils universal wheel drive system
8Jefferies to open Seoul office in January Jefferies to open Seoul office in January
9Economist challenges Yoon's immigration policies Economist challenges Yoon's immigration policies
10Hyundai Card's overseas usage skyrockets with Apple Pay partnership Hyundai Card's overseas usage skyrockets with Apple Pay partnership
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] INFINITE's Nam Woo-hyun returns after battling with rare cancer INTERVIEWINFINITE's Nam Woo-hyun returns after battling with rare cancer
22023 MAMA AWARDS hits Tokyo Dome with stellar lineup 2023 MAMA AWARDS hits Tokyo Dome with stellar lineup
3NMIXX to showcase unique allure with 'Fe3O4: BREAK' album next year NMIXX to showcase unique allure with 'Fe3O4: BREAK' album next year
4Perrotin brings Shim Moon-seup's seascape-inspired canvases to Paris Perrotin brings Shim Moon-seup's seascape-inspired canvases to Paris
5Han Sun-hwa leads subtle heartfelt film 'A Letter from Kyoto' Han Sun-hwa leads subtle heartfelt film 'A Letter from Kyoto'
DARKROOM
  • [PHOTOS] It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    [PHOTOS] It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group