By Kim Hyo-jin
Non-mainstream members of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) are seeking to leave the party, despite moves by its reform committee to heal its factional feud, according to political observers.
“A faction opposed to the legacy of former President Roh Moo-hyun regards the committee as the vanguard of Chairman Moon Jae-in and the pro-Roh faction. With distrust of the committee’s innovation plan, some of them are preparing to leave the NPAD and create a new party,” said Shin Yul, a political professor at Myongji University.
“They say their decision to quit or stay depends on whether the reform committee can successfully rebuild the party or not, but this is an excuse to gain time to prepare. They have already started working on a plan.”
Hwang Tae-soon, a political analyst at Wisdom Center, echoed a similar view.
“The non-mainstream members are worried that the reform committee will exert its influence by excluding them from the nomination for the next general election,” he said. “The committee’s innovative plan will be formalized by September, which it is too late for them to prepare for the election and gives them enough reason to prepare a plan B.”
The non-Roh faction, currently in an ongoing spat with those loyal to the late former President, have recently signaled a political realignment in the opposition bloc.
Rep. Park Joo-sun of the non-Roh faction, hinted at the possibility of the split of the party, Monday.
“If the reform committee fails to present an effective innovation plan, there is no reason to hesitate to make a new victorious party,” Park said in a radio interview.
He complained about the committee’s activities, commenting that since it was formed in May it has not devised a plan to remove the vested interests of the pro-Roh faction.
Rep. Park Jie-won, a leader of the former late President Kim Dae-jung faction also warned of a growing possibility of party split, saying “it hinges on if a fair innovation plan is devised.”
In the aftermath of the crushing defeat in the April 29 by-elections, the NPAD created a reform committee to overhaul the party. Chairman Moon entrusted former education superintendent Kim Sang-gon with full powers to settle the factional dispute.
The committee, as a first move, set out a plan for innovation, including assessing the performance of elected party members last month.
The non-Roh group responded negatively to the plan as it could put lawmakers from the South and North Jeolla provinces and Gwangju at disadvantage.