By Kim Hyo-jin
Three representatives of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) left the party, Thursday, days after its co-founder Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo quit amid a power struggle with Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in.
However, it seems unlikely that other party members will bolt from the main opposition anytime soon as Moon’s reform drive is gaining momentum.
The desertions of the three legislators -- Reps. Moon Byeong-ho, You Sung-yop and Hwang Ju-hong -- came while Ahn continues to intensify criticism of the NPAD as well as President Park Geun-hye in an apparent bid to draw more support.
The lawmakers announced their departure from the NPAD at a joint press conference, saying the party has lost the momentum needed for victory in the upcoming general elections in April next year.
“We found it to be irresponsible to stay in the NPAD, knowing that there’s zero possibility that it can become the ruling party and change the government,” Moon Byeong-ho said. “We will expand the opposition support base by overcoming factional politics and further seek to form an alliance in the opposition camp.”
Advocating for the recent deserter Ahn, they blamed the NPAD’s Chairman Moon Jae-in for failing to exert responsible leadership.
“Holding onto the vested rights, Moon did nothing despite a series of crushing defeats in the previous elections,” they said.
They previously mentioned that up to 20 lawmakers will likely follow suit by the end of this year and leave the party, but there are no signs yet of an impending mass exodus set to decimate the party.
Speculation is circulating that some lawmakers, who are not in the mainstream faction led by Moon, could bolt from the party amid deepened factional strife caused by the Moon-Ahn rivalry over party leadership.
But this appears to have faltered due to growing concerns within the minority faction on the impact of deserting the party ahead of the April general elections.
The latest survey conducted by local pollster Realmeter showed that the NPAD’s approval rating increased from 15.1 percent to 21.3 percent after Ahn left the party on Sunday. After analyzing data, the pollster concluded that the embattled party gained support in the face of fears of a party split.
Rep. Kim Han-gil, an NPAD bigwig who leads a minority faction, remains cautious about stating his position and instead has called for party unity. Rep. Song Ho-chang who was close to Ahn also decided to stay in the party.
“It’s risky to leave the party before the election. Ahn may have difficulties getting support from NPAD members,” a party official said.
The possibility of lawmakers possibly deserting the party depends on whether Ahn could gain the momentum to establish a new party, said observers.
Meanwhile, Ahn strongly criticized the government and the NPAD.
“Park is the most arrogant and irresponsible President ever in our history,” he said, referring to pressure from Cheong Wa Dae on the Assembly to pass a series of economic bills.
“My criticism also applies to the incompetent opposition party. The public should step up and judge its idleness,” he added.