Former politician claims to be pro-Roh but not pro-Moon
I am a member of the pro-Roh Moo-hyun faction but not pro-Moon Jae-in. Kim Doo-kwan, former governor of South Gyeongsang Province, told The Dong-A Ilbo on Tuesday. He told this when explaining the reason he chose to deliver congratulatory remarks at the inaugural ceremony of a committee to launch a "pro-Chun Jung-bae new party," which is scheduled on Wednesday. Kim is a member of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, but Chun already defected from the party.
Kim clarified that he will not join the "pro-Chun Jung-bae new party." However, he emphasized his special relationship with Chun. For this reason, a flurry of rumors have it that Kim, nicknamed "Little Roh Moo-hyun," and Chun, an "original member of the pro-Roh faction," will join forces.
Since neither NPAD Chairman Moon Jae-in nor floor leader Lee Jong-geol are delivering congratulatory remarks, I thought that I will need to give talks instead. In order for the opposition camp to retake power, (NPAD and Rep. Chun) must join hands, Kim said. I think the two forces will consider phased unification of candidates in next years general elections. If there are things that require my support, I will take part.
Kim and Chun first met at the election camp for then presidential candidate Roh Moo-hyun in 2002. At the time, Chun led a reform campaign in the then ruling camp, and became the first lawmaker to declare his support of Roh Moo-hyun as presidential candidate. Chun served as Justice Minister during the Roh administration, but defected from the ruling Uri Party in 2007 after falling into dispute with the pro-Roh group, including then presidential chief of staff Moon Jae-in. Later, Chun served as the executive chairman of the election preparation committee for the then presidential candidate Kim Doo-kwan in 2012, launching his "anti-Moon" propaganda.
Kim is in close relationship with Reps. Moon Byeong-ho and Yoo Seong-yeop who tend not to support the pro-Roh faction in the NPAD. The former governor issued a statement to oppose approval of the "Kim Sang-gon reform plan" jointly with the two lawmakers in September. He is thus effectively taking "anti-Moon Jae-in" stance like Chun, who defected from the party.
At the inaugural ceremony for the Chun Jung-bae new party, Han Sang-jin, emeritus professor of Seoul National University who is close to Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, will also give congratulatory speech. Watchers have said Rep. Chun may be sending Ahn an overture to invite the latter to join the new party.
constant25@donga.com