Former lawmaker annoyed by first lady's 'fan club'

Na Kyung-won, a former lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party. Yonhap

By Lee Yeon-woo

Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won called out first lady Kim Keon-hee's “fan club,” saying the group has been doing a disservice to Kim and her husband, President Yoon Suk-yeol.

In response, Kang Shin-up, a lawyer who founded the group, Kunhee Sarang, fired back at the former lawmaker, calling her “an opportunist.”

Na and Kang exchanged barbs, following the former lawmaker's remarks on a radio show on Wednesday.

Na, a former member of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said she has been annoyed by the fan club, voicing her worries that their political statements could hurt the first lady as opposed to helping her.

“I'm afraid that those comments could be misunderstood as those of the first lady's,” she said.

She then accused the fan club of being partly responsible for President Yoon's falling approval rating.

Her remarks came as Kang openly criticized politicians, including recently suspended PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok, and shared first lady Kim's photos on the fan club's website.

First lady Kim is known to have sent text messages to her acquaintances, making it clear that what Kang wrote on social media and the website are his own views, not hers. Kim noted that she and Kang are not in contact.

Na said she was relieved to hear this.

“Even though Kim said she cut off the connection after the photo release caused controversy, I think she should have drawn the line with her fan club long ago,” Na said.

Meanwhile, Kang uploaded three posts to the Kunhee Sarang Facebook page, accusing Na of being an “opportunist.” He claimed the main reason for Yoon's declining ratings is because of the PPP's incompetence, and that Na shares some of the blame for that. “I wondered if Na envied or was displeased with Kim. Considering her comment, I think it's the latter,” Kang said.