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| Rep. Kim Moo-sung, right, chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, and his main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy counterpart Rep. Moon Jae-in, attend a rally together arranged by the Federation of Korea Trade Unions at the Culture Plaza in Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Union members held the event to mark May Day. / Yonhap |
By Jun Ji-hye
The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) is suffering internal strife about whether Chairman Moon Jae-in needs to take responsibility for its defeats in Wednesday's by-elections.
Some lawmakers have called on Moon to step down, saying the current leadership could prompt a crucial defeat in next year's general election.
Others say it not proper for the party to talk about Moon's resignation as continuous division of the largest opposition party could result in total destruction of the opposition bloc.
"I have met many fellow lawmakers in person," Rep. Park Joo-sun said during a radio appearance Friday. "They are feeling a sense of crisis."
A day earlier, Rep. Park told a party meeting that special measures, including the resignation of all the leadership, were required, referring to the shocking defeat in the Seogu-B district of Gwangju, the traditional home turf of liberal parties.
The NPAD won no seats in the elections, with four parliamentary seats up for grabs. The ruling Saenuri Party took three, while independent Chun Jung-bae won in Gwangju.
The results were tragic for the NPAD, considering that three of the four seats were vacated by former lawmakers of the now-dissolved Unified Progressive Party, which was supported by liberal voters.
Rep. Joo Seung-yong, a Supreme Council member, told reporters: "The public, as well as members of the party, can hardly agree with the NPAD sorting out the aftermath of the defeats like this." He apparently referred to Moon's news conference Thursday at which the chairman made an apology without talking about his position.
Some lawmakers complained that Moon announced his stance about the defeats without consultation with party members.
Rep. Park even raised concerns that dozens of lawmakers could leave the NPAD if independent Chun moves to launch a new party based in the Gwangju region.
Chun expressed his interest in creating a new power bloc in the region, during an interview.
But other lawmakers, including Reps. Kang Chang-il, You Dae-woon and Shin Ki-nam, urged party members to refrain from pushing for Moon's resignation.
That view apparently came from the belief that one of the main causes of the party's defeats was division among liberal candidates, which resulted in the split of its support base.
Rep. Lee Kai-ho, instead, called on lawmakers to evaluate the cause of the defeats thoroughly to overcome the crisis facing the party.
Rep. Park Beom-kye argued that the party needed to prepare a sincere message for the public, as well as for voters in Gwangju.
Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye
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