Na Kyung-won, vice chief of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy, gives a press conference in Seoul, Jan. 5. Courtesy of Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy

The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol openly voiced displeasure after the head of a presidential population committee proposed massive spending on curbing low birthrates without prior consultation with the top office.

Some aides have even called for sacking Na Kyung-won, a former four-term lawmaker currently heading the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy as its vice chair, according to people familiar with the matter.

President Yoon is the committee's ex officio chair.

The row between Na and the presidential office has also spurred speculation that Yoon might be against her taking over as new chairperson of the ruling People Power Party. Na is one of the leading contenders for the PPP leadership.