Moon's daughter working as Justice Party member

Moon Da-hye, right, poses with her father President Moon Jae-in, center, and her son, during the presidential election campaign in May last year. / Korea Times file

By Choi Ha-young

President Moon Jae-in’s daughter, Moon Da-hye, 35, has joined the Justice Party, according to multiple sources, Monday.

Her party membership was suspected by her participation in a film screening event hosted by the progressive party, Jan. 2. There, she watched the box office hit move “1987: When the Day Comes” that depicted nationwide protests in 1987 which brought about democratic elections.

She reportedly joined the party after the presidential election in May last year.

A Cheong Wa Dae official acknowledged her party membership. “The President’s daughter has her own life and the President respects her political choice,” the official was quoted as saying.

Justice Party officials refused to confirm when exactly she joined the party, respecting her privacy.

“We appreciate that she backs up the Justice Party, not the party that her father is associated with. However, this is a matter of privacy, like many party members who have supported the party behind the scenes,” party spokesman Choi Suk said.

The younger Moon made her first public appearance during the election campaign trail. On the stage along with her father, she said she was a mother of a son. “When I was married and had a baby, living as a housewife after quitting my job, I once told my father that I’m so afraid of my identity being defined as a mother and a wife,” she said.

“Then he replied that a mother was the greatest job in the world. He said he was proud of me,” she added. “Please make this country better for mothers ― regardless of whether they are career women or housewives.”

The party spokesman said the Justice Party aims to realize her wish. “The party will stand for mothers as the party’s presidential candidate Sim Sang-jung had vowed to introduce a “superwoman prevention law” for those who are struggling between their work and child rearing,” Choi said.