Na Kyung-won

During the 2024 conservative primary, Han Dong-hoon claimed that Na had asked him, while he was Justice Minister, to do something about the fast-track prosecutions. His comments prompted complaints under anti-corruption and obstruction provisions.

Attribution

Personally implicated

The special prosecutor indicted Na and other PPP officials, accusing them of participating in a "human wall" outside the presidential residence on 15 January 2025 to obstruct execution of the arrest warrant against Yoon Suk Yeol.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Na was prosecuted alongside other conservative lawmakers over the 2019 clashes in Parliament, when the opposition physically attempted to prevent reform bills from being placed on a fast-track procedure. In November 2025, she received two fines totalling 24 million won.

Attribution

Personally implicated

A complaint accused the Hongshin school foundation, linked to Na's family, of granting a lease on abnormally favourable terms, allegedly constituting criminal breach of trust.

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Journalistic investigations alleged that Na's daughter, who has a disability, had received exceptionally favourable conditions during admission to Sungshin Women's University. Complaints subsequently targeted Na and university officials.

Na's son's participation as a secondary-school student in research conducted at Seoul National University prompted allegations of favouritism and honorary authorship. SNU reviewed the work and distinguished the circumstances: first authorship was considered justified for one project, while another contribution involved a limited ethics irregularity.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

SNU found first authorship acceptable on one work and a minor ethics issue on another; prosecutors found insufficient basis for criminal charges

The management of Special Olympics Korea, previously chaired by Na, faced criticism over recruitment, contracts, expenditure and links with associated organisations. A ministry audit identified several inappropriate practices and civic organisations filed complaints.

Legal status — source text

Prosecutors did not indict Na on the complaints considered

Attribution

Direct responsibility

During the 2011 campaign, media outlets and opponents claimed that Na attended a skincare establishment charging approximately 100 million won a year. Police established that she and her daughter had spent 5.5 million won there and that the highest-priced package cost considerably less than 100 million won.

Legal status — source text

Police found actual spending of 5.5 million won; no wrongdoing by Na established

Attribution

Directly implicated

A podcast claimed that Na's husband, a judge, had asked a prosecutor to prosecute an internet user who had criticised Na. The allegations triggered political and media conflict and an investigation.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Legal status — source text

Police concluded related parties had no charges in March 2012

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

During the Seoul mayoral campaign, Na participated in bathing a severely disabled teenager at a specialist institution in front of the press. Associations denounced a violation of the child's dignity and privacy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated