Na Kyung-won passes on PPP's leadership race, Ahn Cheol-soo to benefit

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sat, December 9, 2023 | 17:43

Politics

Na Kyung-won passes on PPP's leadership race, Ahn Cheol-soo to benefit

Posted : 2023-01-25 17:20

Updated : 2023-01-26 08:32

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won answers reporters' questions during a press conference at the party's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Na said she will not run for the ruling party's chairman election slated for March 8. Yonhap

Ruling party's chairperson election to be two-way race between Kim, Ahn

By Nam Hyun-woo

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) leadership hopeful Na Kyung-won on Wednesday said she will not run for the party's chairman election slated for March 8, after ongoing discord with the presidential office and President Yoon Suk Yeol's party loyalists.

"If I can prevent public concern on the division of the party and contribute to the cohesion and unity, I will make a bold decision to skip the bid," Na said during a press conference at the party's headquarters on Yeouido, Seoul.

"Any bid by me to run for the party leadership is now being framed as a symbol of division and this can be interpreted negatively by the public," Na said. "Thus, I made my decision for the sake of the party."

Na, a four-term former lawmaker, has long been considered a prime candidate for the ruling party's leadership position, ahead of other PPP members who also seek the leadership position in surveys held just weeks ago.

However, her momentum faltered after she proposed a policy that contradicts the government's policy direction.

During a media interview, Na, then vice chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, proposed the idea of extending low-interest rate loans for younger married couples and taking over the debt for those who have three babies within five years of getting married.

This, however, was firmly rejected by the presidential office and the government, with senior presidential secretary for social policy Ahn Sang-hoon saying it is "far-fetched from the viewpoint of the presidential office."

This resulted in Na's resignation from the post. Yoon sacked her from not only the low birthrate committee chair but also the role of climate and environment ambassador.

The conflict was amplified further after Na wrote on Facebook that the dismissal was not "Yoon's intent" and "some of the presidential aides might have distorted facts" while reporting to the president about her.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki responded in a statement on Jan. 17, "the dismissal was Yoon's decision based on his precise understanding of the facts" and "Na herself may better know about how the president is thinking about her behavior."

With pro-Yoon lawmakers standing as the PPP's mainstream, Na also fell under harsh criticisms from within the party. Approximately 50 first-term lawmakers of the PPP on Jan. 17 released a joint statement denouncing Na for her comments, which resulted in Na's apology.

During this process, her approval ratings have plunged, and allowed PPP Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon to claim the pole position in recent surveys that asked who the most suitable new PPP leader is.

People Power Party Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon wears a work clothes for a volunteer service at a recycling center in Yongsan District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

According to a Jan. 22-23 poll by Embrain Public, Kim was leading the pack with 25.4 percent among 784 respondents who said they support the PPP, followed by Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo with 22.3 percent and Na with 16.9 percent.

"Regardless of running in the election or not, I don't think my approval ratings are important," Na said when asked whether she was affected by her faltering approval ratings. "I decided to withdraw out of fear that there could be a situation where the public may frown during the election progress."

Following Na's withdrawal, the PPP leadership race will likely be a two-way race between Reps. Kim and Ahn. Though Na flatly denied playing any role in the election, however, any candidate who can attract Na supporters is anticipated to have an advantage.

People Power Party Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo speaks during a meeting with North Korean defectors on Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Kim emerged as the leading candidate recently on the back of strong support from Yoon loyalists, as they believe Kim best represents the president's intent. On the other hand, Ahn is ahead of Kim in terms of public perception, but has long been struggling with the ambiguous image that the public has of him.

The Jan. 22-23 poll surveyed a total of 2,002 people, but counted only those who said they are PPP supporters for the question, which asked who the most suitable candidate is, because only PPP members are eligible to vote for the chairman election. The poll was requested by broadcaster YTN, and further details are available on the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.

namhw@koreatimes.co.kr