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| Rep. Chin Young announces his defection to the the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea during a press conference at the National Assembly, Sunday. Chin, who served as the first health minister under the Park Geun-hye administration, quit the ruling Saenuri Party after being excluded from nominations for the April 13 general election. / Yonhap |
By Rachel Lee
Rep. Chin Young, a former health minister, joined the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), Sunday, after being excluded from the ruling Saenuri Party's nominations for the April 13 general election.
Chin made the announcement at a press conference along with MPK interim leader Kim Chong-in, saying he will begin a new chapter in his political life with the opposition party.
"Thinking about the old days, what I had pursued in the beginning of my political career was completely stranded," Chin said.
Chin's joining of the MPK drew mixed responses.
Cheong Wa Dae and the Saenuri Party labeled Chin a turncoat, while MPK leader Kim hoped that his defection illustrates an ugly power struggle inside the ruling party in the lead-up to the general election.
The three-term lawmaker, who represents Yongsan-gu in central Seoul, has become the second former member of the pro-Park Geun-hye faction to join the MPK, following Cho Eung-chun, a former presidential secretary who was nominated by the opposition party for Namyangju A in Gyeonggi Province.
Cho was the first health and welfare minister of the Park Geun-hye administration. He resigned after a conflict with the presidential office over a key campaign pledge on the basic pension.
Chin strongly criticized the ruling party.
"I was engulfed by the power politics and also engaged in factionalism as well as political divisions," he said.
He added that "genuine party politics matter, not a faction with a mastermind behind it."
"I am determined to fight for the democracy and livelihoods of the people of Korea," Chin said.
Chin is reportedly taking a position in the MPK's elections planning committee.
"We express deep gratitude for Chin's decision to build democracy together with us when he became a victim with no choice but to leave the ruling party," MPK leader Kim said. "Chin is determined to contribute to the development of the country's democracy through fair competition among parties. And I believe he will be great for the MPK."
Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae expressed criticism over Chin's decision to join the opposition.
"At the end of the day it's his personal choice, but this was the second time the lawmaker has left the President," a presidential aide official said. "We do not understand why he had to join another party to pursue his political career. Chin has made such comments to make himself look good in front of the opposition party, but it was cowardly."
Saenuri Party lawmakers echoed a similar view.
"After enjoying all privileges as a party member and also a minister under the Park government, he immediately defected from the party once he failed to win nomination for the election," said Rep. Lee Jang-woo. "That's what I'd call an example of old politics."
"Chin crossed a line he shouldn't have," said a two-term lawmaker of the same party on condition of anonymity. "This is not just a matter of politics, but also a matter of ethics."
