I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
DJ followers divided over vote
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Han Hwa-gap, one of the closest aides of the late former President Kim Dae-jung, endorsed ruling Saenuri Party candidate Park Geun-hye as the nation’s next leader, Thursday.
The liberal figure’s joining the conservative party comes amid a division of left-wing figures and consolidation of right-wing supporters.
During a news conference at the ruling party’s headquarters in Seoul, the 73-year-old Han, also the former leader of the now-defunct Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), the predecessor of the Democratic United Party (DUP), announced his support for Park.
His joining the Park camp indicates the followers of the late Kim are divided. Earlier, Han Kwang-ok, another key figure of the liberal camp, announced his support for Park along with several liberal figures.
Kwon Roh-gap, also a supporter of the late Kim, accused them of being “traitors” ahead of the presidential election, expressing deep concern for the negative fallout on the liberal side.
On Tuesday, after a seminar hosted by the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center, Kwon revealed his frustration, saying he regretted several left-wing figures’ decision to join Park, turning their back on the liberals.
“I know those who left the liberal camp harbored discontent about the Moon Jae-in because those who were close to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun dominated the decision-making process in the DUP,” he said.
“As a former aide of the late Kim, I don’t feel comfortable about that, either. But their discontent doesn’t justify their turning on the DUP candidate Moon.”
In an open letter posted on his blog, Kim Ok-doo, a former chief secretary to Kim, called on the followers of the late democracy fighter to think twice and side with the DUP.
Announcing their support for Park, the former confidants to the late President Kim cited the fact Kim himself reconciliated with Park, the daughter of the late President Park Chung-hee, though he suffered severe oppression under the then dictator. They also said their joining the Park camp will help ease the chronic regional antagonism and enhance the much-touted reconciliation between the southeastern Gyeongsang and southwestern Jeolla provinces.