Moon, Park may vie for opposition leadership

By Jun Ji-hye

Rep. Moon Jae-in

Rep. Moon Jae-in of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) is moving to embracing all factions, ahead of an election for the party chairmanship, according to insiders.

Moon, who leads a faction composed of supporters of the late President Roh Moo-hyun, is now inviting supporters of Reps. Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Han-gil, and the late activist-turned-lawmaker Kim Geun-tae to join him on his campaign to become party leader ahead of the party’s national convention in early February.

Moon’s rival faction is comprised of lawmakers from the region referred to as “Honam” which encompasses Gwangju and south and north Jeolla Provinces, and is a significant representative force within the NPAD.

Moon is expected to declare his bid to run for the position soon.

He is said to have eased concerns among other factions that his election will lead the members that support Roh’s legacy to take over the party and exclude them from the key decision-making processes, which could cause the party to split.

At stake are nominations for the 2016 parliamentary elections and primaries for the 2017 presidential election.

Moon unsuccessfully ran in the 2012 presidential election against President Park Geun-hye. He served as chief of staff for the late President Roh between 2007 and 2008.

From Moon’s perspective, the ongoing effort could help cast off the long shadow of Roh, which remains upon him, and help him achieve political independence.

Lawyer Geum Tae-seop, a former NPAD spokesman and Rep. Ahn’s closest aide, and Rep. Park Kwang-on, a former MBC anchorman, are also said to be interested in joining hands with Moon.

Both of them denied this.

Moon’s aides refused to elaborate on his plan.

“It is premature to talk about a campaign camp because Moon has not yet even decided whether to run at the convention,” said one, Wednesday.

However, some lawmakers are expressing concerns over a possible split of the largest opposition party under Moon’s leadership.

One first-term NPAD lawmaker said on condition of anonymity that a considerable number of members fear that the party could lose support from within the Honam region, if Moon becomes a party chairman. The region is a traditional home turf of a liberal party.

“The pro-Roh legacy faction already lost the confidence of people in Honam. I heard Honam residents even don’t want to talk about those who still favor Roh’s legacy because they believe that the falling popularity of the NPAD is largely because of the faction,” said the lawmaker. “In particular, lawmakers representing the region are especially worried about the possibility of Moon being elected.”

The lawmaker indicated that some members regard Rep. Park Jie-won as a better option for the party chairmanship in order to prevent a split within the party. Park was chief of staff for late President Kim Dae-jung.

Park stressed during his visit to Homan Wednesday, “I will collect all political power in Honam and take the lead in order to eradicate a factional dispute between Roh-legacy supporters and others.”

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