Rep. Moon Jae-in, center, of the main opposition Democratic United Party, speaks during a debate organized by the Kwanhun Club, a fraternity of senior journalists, at the Press Center in central Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) said Wednesday that if followers of North Korea really exist in the legislature as conservatives claim, they need to be kept out of public service.

But while answering questions from veteran journalists during a forum hosted by the Kwanhun Club Wednesday, the presidential hopeful, cautioned against a witch hunt.

Moon, also former presidential chief of staff under the late former Roh Moo-hyun government, noted that currently there is insufficient evidence to establish that Rep. Lee Seok-ki of the minor Unified Progressive Party (UPP) is a North Korea sympathizer.

“However, if he is found to have been involved in the vote-rigging scandal, I think this could put his parliamentary post at risk.”

Moon’s stance is part of an apparent bid to differentiate himself from unpopular North Korea-sympathizers within the political circle.

Rep. Lee faces mounting pressure to step down over his alleged links with North Korea and pro-North Korea remarks that he has made. Despite this, the lawmaker, who previously served a jail-term for having links to an espionage case, showed no signs of quitting.

On North Korea, Moon was critical of the Stalinist state’s nuclear ambitions, as well as the dynastic leadership succession.

He described the leadership succession as only workable in pre-modern days and also stood firm against North Korea’s weapons system.

“North Korea demanded that the international community accept it as a state with nuclear weapons. This is unacceptable,” he said.

But he called for engagement with the North, proposing that a new President, who will take office next year,sit down with the North Korean leader and hold inter-Korean summits every following year.

Regarding the sunken frigate Cheonan, Moon said he respects the multinational team’s investigation results, which found that North Korea torpedoed the 1,200 ton ship which killed 46 sailors.

He said Mt. Geumgang tourism needs to resume.

Moon is one of the presidential contenders in the opposition camp. Also joining the primary race is former Governor of Gyeonggi Province Sohn Hak-kyu, and Rep. Chung Sye-kyun, a former leader of the liberal party.

Kim Doo-kwan, governor of South Gyeongsang Province, is gearing up for the race, too.

Kim, who is also known as “Little Roh Moo-hyun” for his similarity to the late President in terms of socio-economic background and successful self-made career, is said to declare a bid to run in the DUP primary in July.

Moon said he believes his biggest rival in the opposition camp is Kim because he and the governor will have to compete to gain support from the same voting groups. The two contenders are widely backed by those who supported the late President Roh.

Moon revealed confidence about his presidential bid prospects. He admitted that his rating is very low, compared with that of Rep. Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party. But he said things will turn out very differently if he is chosen as a DUP presidential candidate as this will create a two-way race with the winner of the ruling party.