Ex-Main Opposition Party Lawmaker Na Kyoung-Won To Run For Seoul Mayor

Reporter Rosyn Park ㅣ 2021-01-13 16:52

Na Kyoung-won, a former four-term lawmaker, announces her bid for Seoul mayor at a press conference held outside on a street in the capital city's Itaewon area on Jan. 13, 2021. (Photo: Yonhap News)

Na Kyung-won, a former lawmaker of the conservative People Power Party, has declared her bid for Seoul mayor.

Na announced her candidacy Wednesday saying, "The opposition party must win this Seoul mayoral election so that it can declare an end to injustice and restore fairness and justice."

She said the city "should be rebuilt again," and pledged to tackle local housing, welfare and economic issues.

While speaking to reporters, Na likened herself to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, both women and heads of states leading the fight against COVID-19.

This is Na's second bid to lead the capital after she lost to late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who was backed by liberals, in 2011.

The mayoral seat has been vacant since Park died last July in an apparent suicide after he was accused of sexual harassment.

Ten contenders have so far declared their intent to run in the by-election for Seoul mayor on April 7 on the PPP ticket.