By Jun Ji-hye
Nine figures associated with the late President Roh Moo-hyun on Sunday resigned from the camp of Moon Jae–in, the Democratic United Party’s (DUP) presidential candidate, in a bid to stem factionalism within the party.
Sources inside the camp said the decision was prompted by calls from the party for the candidate to focus on political reform without being distracted by factionalism between pro-Roh figures and their critics.
“We resign from our positions in the election camp and will help Moon’s efforts for victory behind the scenes,” the politicians said in a joint statement.
As Moon served as Roh’s chief of staff, watchers say it is vital for him to distinguish himself from his former boss.
Calls had been growing for the resignations amid concerns that they wielded too much influence despite Moon’s call for a fair process to select his staff when he gave his acceptance speech following his triumph at the party’s primary elections.
Initially, only three key pro-Roh figures were expected to resign: Jeon Hae-chul and Lee Ho-chul, who both served as senior presidential secretaries for civil affairs, and former presidential secretary for communications Yang Jung-chul. The number was expanded after further discussion.
Independent candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, who urged DUP to carry out an internal overhaul before proposing alliance arrangements with him, joined the pressure on Moon last week, saying the nation was waiting for the resignations of certain factions.
The moves came as Moon prepared to launch a committee to proceed with its internal political overhaul. He announced the selection of members for the committee at the party’s headquarters in Seoul, Sunday.
It remains to be seen whether the calls for political “renovation” would prompt party leaders such as chairman Lee Hae-chan and floor leader Park Ji-won to step down, or whether the moves would be downplayed leading up to the election.
Also, all eyes of the opposition look to Ahn and Moon to see if their rumored debate over a possible merger can make meaningful progress following this latest move.
Meanwhile, Ahn announced his policies on job creation at his headquarters in downtown Seoul.
“The government, political community, big and small companies, labor and management, and the self-employed have to come together and find a way to bolster job creation,” he said. “I am planning to renovate the existing Tripartite Commission by including representatives of minor groups such as non-regular workers.
Korea University Professor Jang Ha-sung, who is known as a “chaebol sniper” and a key member of Ahn’s economic policy panel, participated in Ahn’s press conference and gave additional explanations on Ahn’s policy plans on employment.
Jang claimed last week that Moon has to merge into Ahn as Ahn’s approval rating is higher than Moon’s.