NPAD leader under pressure to resign
By Kang Seung-woo
Rep. Moon Jae-in
New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in is under increasing pressure to resign from his post to take responsibility over lawmakers leaving the party.
The local daily Chosun Ilbo reported that Moon recently told Reps. Kim Han-gil and Park Jie-won that he would step down “in late January or early February.”
Kim and Park, the NPAD’s most prominent figures outside of the party mainstream, have urged Moon to quit because a factional feud is growing over how best to prepare for the general election scheduled for April 13, 2016.
Since NPAD co-founder Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo left the party on Dec. 13 after a power struggle with Moon, four more lawmakers have quit to joint Ahn’s new party to be created by early February, cornering the chairman.
However, Moon denied the report, telling reporters that: “I have never told them that I will quit.”
What is worse, the NPAD is losing public confidence quickly in its traditional stronghold in North and South Jeolla provinces, also known as the Honam region.
Some analysts said that Moon will come under increasing pressure to quit.
“Desertions are gaining momentum unlike Moon’s expectations, so his resignation will be the only thing to stop them,” said Chung Goon-gi, a professor at Hongik University.
“Kim Han-gil is also cornering Moon by rejecting the creation of an election campaign committee.”
Cho Jin-man, a political science professor at Duksung Women’s University, said, “With Ahn gathering forces, a possible mass exodus of lawmakers from the Honam region will force Moon to seriously consider stepping down.”
Of the eight National Assembly representatives for Gwangju ― initially all NPAD members ― four have quit the party, with three more also expected to leave the party.
In addition, some NPAD lawmakers in South Jeolla Province are also indicating they may leave the party.
Rep. Joo Seung-yong, who has often confronted Moon, plans to leave the party on Jan. 10. Joo’s constituency is in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province.
Members outside of the mainstream of the party are demanding that the chairman resign immediately.
“In order to win the general election, the NPAD needs to work together with other opposition parties. To do so, Moon’s resignation is a prerequisite,” Kim said.
Professor Chung said those not in the mainstream will make efforts to prevent pro-Roh faction members from securing nominations to stand as candidates in the elections.