Moon stakes political career on support from Jeolla region
Rep. Moon Jae-in, front, a former chairman of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), and Kim Hong-gul, the party’s campaign co-chief in Gwangju, pay their respects at the May 18 National Cemetery in Gwangju, Friday. Moon visited the city, once the party’s political stronghold, to rally support for MPK candidates in the April 13 general election. Kim is a son of the late President Kim Dae-jung. / Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
Rep. Moon Jae-in, a heavyweight of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK), said Friday that he will quit politics if the Jeolla region doesn’t support him.
Moon, a potential MPK contender for the 2017 presidential election, also said he will not run for the presidency without the endorsement from the region — an opposition stronghold encompassing Gwangju and North and South Jeolla provinces.
“I won’t hesitate to leave politics if the people of Honam withdraw their support and turn their back on me,” he said during a visit to Gwanju as part of the campaign for the April 13 general election. “I also won’t join in the presidential race as I will accept any judgment concerning my fate because it reflects the people’s wishes here.”
His remarks come after a factional feud between loyalists to the late President Roh Moo-hyun, who he leads, and those against him.
Moon, the former MPK chairman, has remained low-key in the election campaign amid criticism that he is responsible for causing the factional strife that created a political divide in the opposition camp.
He stepped aside from nomination process to select candidates and also decided not to run in the elections in a bid to woo voters.
Speculation is rampant that the MPK is likely to lose a number of constituencies in the Jeolla region to the minor opposition People’s Party, founded by Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo in February. Ahn formed the party after leaving the MPK following a power struggle with Moon.
“I came here to take all the blame, although the party was against my visit,” Moon said. “I am sorry for coming here too late and offer a sincere apology.”
He called for support for the MPK candidates in the region’s 28 election districts, including eight in Gwangju, urging the voters “not to be swayed by lies that are aimed at deepening the division within the opposition.”
“We can only change the government if Honam throws its weight behind the MPK,” Moon added.
Meanwhile, analysts remained skeptical that the visit to Gwanju would be a game changer in the April polls.
“It’s possible the voters will regard the visit as part of his strategy for a presidential bid in the future instead of showing sincere support for MPK candidates,” said Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University.
Lee Joon-han, a political science professor at Incheon University, said “It’s a bit late to change people’s minds considering the election is less than a week away.”
“Some people may considering voting for the MPK but some others will still be against it,” he added.