By Kim Hyo-jin
Another lawmaker who held a senior position in the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) stepped down from his post on Thursday and demanded the resignation of party leader Rep. Moon Jae-in.
Rep. Choi Jae-cheon quit as the party’s chief policymaker, urging Moon to step down also.
He is the third member of the party’s decision-making Supreme Council to give up his position, following the resignations of Reps. Oh Young-sik and Joo Seung-yong.
Party floor leader Rep. Lee Jong-kul has refused to attend a Supreme Council meeting in protest against Moon amid a widening power struggle between Moon and the former party co-chairman, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo.
“I resign my post to take responsibility for the party’s division in hope of sending a strong message to Moon that he needs to take action,” Choi said during a press conference.
Moon has been under heavy pressure from NPAD lawmakers to step down so that the party can set up an emergency planning committee in order to take over the embattled leadership and prepare itself ahead of the general election slated for April next year.
Moon did not comment on the demand, instead he renewed his call for Ahn to join hands with him in steering the party.
“It is unimaginable that Ahn, NPAD’s co-founder, could leave the party. I hope to go forward hand in hand with him,” Moon told reporters.
“I will seek ways to do so by communicating with him directly or contacting his aides,” he added.
Ahn has remained silent since he gave what was regarded as an “ultimatum” to Moon on Sunday, implying that Ahn would leave the party if his call for holding a national convention to form new leadership is not accepted. On Tuesday, Moon rejected the proposal, saying it could divide the party even further.
Amid deepening strife, about 40 NPAD lawmakers proposed a plan to mediate between the two earlier that day.
Lawmakers whose constituencies are in metropolitan areas, suggested that the party should set up an emergency committee, to which the current Supreme Council should forfeit its powers and functions. If enacted, the plan would allow Moon and Ahn to exert influence on the selection of committee members, in turn opening up the possibility that they could assume the position to head the committee.
Some party officials have expressed doubt about the plan, saying it remains to be seen if the remaining Supreme Council members will step down and the party members will consent on the process.
Rep. Moon Byeong-ho, Ahn’s aide, also remained cautious. “If it becomes a genuinely reformist emergency committee whose participants leave their vested rights first, Ahn might be able to accept the proposal. But if Moon continues in a leadership role in the new committee without giving up his current chairmanship, it’s hardly acceptable,” he said.