What makes Moon different from Roh Moo-hyun

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Fri, September 22, 2017 | 20:36

Politics

What makes Moon different from Roh Moo-hyun

Posted : 2017-05-08 15:50

Updated : 2017-05-08 18:45

Moon Jae-in, left, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, walks with then-President Roh Moo-hyun at Cheong Wa Dae in 2007 when he was serving as Roh's chief of staff. / Courtesy of Democratic Party of Korea

He has more flexible views on N. Korea, tricky security issues

By Kim Rahn

Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, was the senior secretary for civil affairs and the chief of staff for former President Roh Moo-hyun.

Although he has built his own political career after Roh's retirement in 2008 and death the next year, many still link him to the former liberal president and believe he will have a similar stance and policies to those of Roh. And this has been the basis for attacks on Moon by his rivals, who have claimed the liberal candidate would emphasize greater independence from the United States in diplomacy and security and try to engage North Korea.

Political pundits, however, say Moon will be different from Roh and is expected to take a more flexible and practical stance than his former boss.

Roh was elected at the end of 2002 when anti-U.S. sentiment was high following the death of two middle-school girls who were run over by a U.S. military armored vehicle.

He called for Korea's greater independence from the U.S. in diplomacy, unlike his conservative predecessors who had prioritized the Korea-U.S. alliance. Roh openly said, "What's wrong with being anti-U.S.?" or "I won't visit the U.S. only to take a photo."

"It was the first time for a Korean president to talk about diplomatic independence from the U.S. in such a strong tone," said Lee Kang-yun, a political analyst.

About the North's nuclear weapons development, Roh tried to address the issue but did not seek strong sanctions. He even said once, "North Korea claims it is developing nuclear weapons and missiles to protect itself from outside threats. I think part of that claim makes sense."

Such an anti-U.S. and pro-North Korea stance caused tension with Washington, so conservatives criticized Roh for his "poor diplomacy," and now say Moon will do the same.

But contrary to their expectation, Moon has shown a different approach toward the U.S. and North Korea. For example, if it were Roh who focused on independent national security, he would have opposed the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here. Moon, however, said he would not decide on consent or opposition for now, adding the issue should go through a public discussion with the next government.

"The national interest, the Korea-U.S. alliance and a public consensus should be the principle to solve the THAAD issue. I'll make all efforts to address North Korea's nuclear program, which is the root of the THAAD issue. I won't pursue withdrawal of the battery unilaterally, and will make a decision after fully consulting with the U.S. We also need to talk with China and Russia," Moon said.

He has also taken a firm attitude toward the North's provocations. As for North Korea's missile tests, he said they "can never be condoned," and warned the reclusive country that such provocations will never help solve the current impasse.

Lee said Moon would take a different stance from Roh because the North's nuclear issue has changed a lot since the latter's term, with a much more developed missile system. "The changed situation will make Moon take a different approach from Roh. He will have to be practical and flexible."

Another political pundit, Choi Young-il, agreed. Noting that Moon has been picked as a candidate who may have good security policies according to opinion polls, Choi said Moon has a duty to fulfill such public expectations if elected. "If he becomes the president, in national defense, security and diplomacy, the Moon-Donald Trump relationship will be smoother than the one between Roh and George Bush," Choi said.

"While Roh was a rugby ball with unpredictability, Moon is much more stable. It will be easier for the U.S. to form a good relationship with a Moon administration than the Roh administration."

rahnita@ktimes.com