Key aides to Moon step aside

Three longtime associates keep distance from power

By Choi Ha-young

President Moon Jae-in’s longtime associates vowed to keep their distance from power in a bid to dismiss concerns they might control state affairs behind the scenes as “secret confidants.”

After former President Park Geun-hye was ousted following the influence-peddling and corruption scandal involving her confidant Choi Soon-sil, there were concerns that Moon also had a lineup of secret key aides who could pull the strings if Moon was elected.

The key aides are Lee Ho-chul, Yang Jung-chul and Rep. Jeon Hae-cheol of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). They have been longtime associates of Moon and the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. The three served in Cheong Wa Dae during the Roh administration (2003-2008) along with Moon who was senior secretary for civil affairs and chief of staff.

While Moon has so far appointed people who are not labeled “Moon Jae-in’s men” to key positions, two close aides of Moon ― Yang and former three-term lawmaker Choi Jae-sung ― declared Tuesday they would leave politics to pave the way for the new leader’s success, in an apparent effort to calm any lingering concerns.

“With my exit, please withdraw terms like pro-Moon, pro-Roh,” Yang said in a text message to his former colleagues and aides. Yang will depart for New Zealand and settle down there, sources said.

He has been known as Moon’s closest aide. Moon reportedly recognized Yang’s determination to leave politics during a tearful banquet at the presidential office, Monday.

Choi, dubbed “Moon’s bodyguard,” also expressed his intent not to hold any position. He was in charge of scouting experts for the election camp during the campaign.

“The success of Moon’s government will be beyond his own success but will mean a new Korea. Amid abundant human resources around him, it’s totally fine for me to remain (on the sidelines),” he said on Facebook.

One of other so-called confidants, Lee, already flew to Eastern Europe on May 10 right after Moon clinched the presidency, being mindful of the rumor. Reportedly he booked the flight ticket early this year, when Moon started to cement his lead in opinion polls.

“We are not criminals. We just supported Moon when he was having a tough and lonely time,” Lee said in a letter he wrote to his friends from Incheon International Airport.

Lee, a former student activist based in Busan, met Roh and Moon ― then human rights lawyers ― at a time when he was imprisoned for pro-democracy activities in early 1980. By defending Lee, Roh became aware of the atrocities committed by the military dictatorship which made him become a prominent human rights lawyer.

“Finally, we achieved a power shift. It was such an honor to be with two respectable lawyers,” Lee said. “I sincerely hope Moon will enjoy peace with his pet dog, after finishing his duty successfully.”