Political Betrayal

Ex-President Kim Dae-jung Should Stop Intervention in Politics

Rep. Kim Hong-up, the second son of former President Kim Dae-jung, surprised many people Wednesday by quitting the Centrist United Democratic Party to join an embryonic new party. His desertion is a significant indication with regard to the political regrouping within the governing camp ahead of the presidential election in December. Kim is thought to be the barometer in reading the mind of his father, who is still wielding considerable influence upon the politics backed by vehement support from residents of his stronghold, Jeolla Provinces.

Kim’s quitting will surely deal a severe blow to CUDP leader Park Sang-cheon, who has been fiercely resisting the move toward a ``fusion’’ merger of the party into the new one in the making. Park claimed the desertion is betrayal against the party that enabled him to become a lawmaker.

Kim was elected in Muan, Sinan constituency in South Jeolla Province, Kim Dae-jung’s political turf, in the April 25 by-election. At that time, Kim faced ferocious resistance from party members and the people in general as he was fresh from a prison on charge of slush fund dealing. Kim garnered the party’s ticket only weeks after he got a special pardon. Rep. Chough Soon-hyung, well known for his outspoken style, pointed out Kim was not appropriate as the party candidate. Chough called on Kim to show repentance through charity activities rather than seek political ambition.

The senior Kim and his wife Lee Hee-ho strongly supported their son’s bid canvassing electoral districts. It is a pity for Kim, despite his old age, to have unabated greed for politics. Many people have said they gave up respect for the former head of state due to his continued attempt to engage in politics though they once liked him for his sacrificial role for the promotion of democracy and reunification of Korea.

Then Democratic Party spokesman Yoo Jong-pil acknowledged the party had decided to field Kim for the constituency in light of electoral chances and the party’s special relations with the former president, who founded it. After being elected, Kim swore he would do his best for the sake of the Democratic Party, which later changed its name to Centrist United Democratic Party.

With the desertion, however, Kim totally broke his pledge and needs to be the very target of criticism for his mean politicking. Kim owes debts to the DP and the local residents of Muan and Sinan counties. It is absolutely inappropriate for him to change his party affiliation only four months after election. Former President Kim has been pushing for the merger wary of the possibility that the governing camp will face serious setbacks in the presidential election. His sense of crisis appears to have been aggravated since the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) has been leading the presidential race, led by its presidential contenders Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye.

Nevertheless, it is not proper for the former President to directly engage in politics and attempt to continue to have influence on it. Now he needs to sit back and focus on non-political activities. But unfortunately Kim seems to be intent on intervening in the formation of the new party, which will become a melting pot of various figures irrespective of their ideologies and policies.