Moon begs Ahn not to leave party
By Kim Hyo-jin
NPAD Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in
Rep. Moon Jae-in, chairman of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), asked Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, former party co-leader and head of a rival faction, to stay and work with him, Tuesday, adding that he will make every effort to prevent the party breaking up.
However, Moon rejected Ahn’s renewed call to hold a national convention, saying that this would cause further divisions within the party.
“I ask Ahn again to consider joining hands with me,” Moon said during a forum hosted by the Kwanhun Club, a group of senior journalists that aims to promote freedom of speech.
“What we need is unity. It is difficult to opt for a national convention, which will only cause confrontation, ahead of the general election.”
The remarks came after Ahn indicated Sunday that he may quit the party in what was regarded as an ultimatum issued to Moon.
Amid a deepening power struggle between the two politicians, lawmakers outside the mainstream, who oppose a faction led by Moon, joined forces with Ahn, increasing pressure on Moon to resign.
On Sunday, Ahn said that the party should hold a national convention to elect a new leader in preparation for the elections scheduled for April next year.
Moon repeated his refusal, saying, “I hope that Ahn will present some other options for unity.”
He also dismissed the possibility of Ahn quitting the party, following his refusal.
“It is perplexing and absurd. Ahn is the party’s co-founder. I don’t believe he will leave the party just because his demand was not accepted,” he said.
Ahn did not issue a comment, but his aides noted that Moon’s remark will hasten Ahn’s decision as to whether he will quit the party. “It could be made on Thursday or the weekend,” Ahn’s aide said.
In an apparent show of support for Ahn, Rep. Joo Seung-yong stepped down from his post on the Supreme Council, becoming the second member to quit the job in opposition to Moon’s leadership, following Rep. Oh Young-sik. Rep. Lee Jong-kul, the party’s floor leader, continued to refuse working on party affairs, urging Moon to step down.
“I met Moon yesterday and asked him to play an active role as a party leader, but he seemed to have no will to save the party,” Joo said during a press conference. “The party leadership failed to reform the party but instead held onto its vested rights. I resign the post, hoping that the party can embark on a unifying movement.”
Rep. Choi Jae-chun, head of the NPAD’s policy committee, joined forces in criticizing Moon, saying, “The chairman should be held accountable for the leadership collapse.”