[Report] "Honestly, It's 'Dad Chance'" Mun Seokgyun's 'Inheritance Controversy' Heard from Uijeongbu Public Sentiment

Moon Hee-sang National Assembly Speaker's Eldest Son Moon Seok-gyun Sparks Controversy Running in District Where Speaker Won 6 Times
'Dad's Chance', 'District Succession', 'Feudal Mindset' Controversy
Merchants and Youths Met in Uijeongbu Criticize as "Practically Unfair"
Opposition Also Within Democratic Party... Leadership in Dilemma

Uijeongbu Jeil Market, representing Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province. On the 22nd, merchants met at the market and young people near Uijeongbu Station strongly criticized Moon Seok-gyun's candidacy, calling it a "dad chance" and "constituency inheritance." Photo by Seong-yeol Kim, intern reporter kary0330@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Sungyeol Kim] "I think it is wrong to gain opportunities through a father's influence."

Moon Seok-gyun (49), the eldest son of Moon Hee-sang (74), Speaker of the National Assembly and Standing Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party in Uijeongbu Gap, Gyeonggi Province, has expressed his intention to run for office in the same constituency (Uijeongbu Gap) where Speaker Moon has been elected six times, sparking fierce criticism that he is inheriting the constituency.

On the 11th, Moon held a book concert for his book and said, "At 50 years old, to call this inheritance or to say it is done according to my father's will is really disappointing," emphasizing, "I will follow my father's path, but I firmly reject the 'dad chance'."

However, by effectively inheriting his father's constituency using the political assets of a prominent politician father, controversies such as 'constituency inheritance' and 'nomination inheritance' have not subsided.

On the 22nd, citizens met by Asia Economy in the Uijeongbu area where Moon announced his candidacy unanimously criticized, saying "It's unfair" and "It's unjust."

A male merchant in his 40s, A, who runs a dish store at Uijeongbu Jeil Market, said, "I have been a supporter of the Democratic Party since former President Roh Moo-hyun," adding, "Even if Moon Seok-gyun runs this time, I might vote for him, but I think this is not right. I believe he won't be nominated anyway."

B (78), who has operated a flour mill in the market for 50 years, said, "People say it's inheritance, but it is not," while cautiously adding, "The Democratic Party will verify abilities, and the people will vote, so the election outcome will depend on ability."

Uijeongbu Jeil Market, representing Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province. On the 22nd, merchants met at the market and young people near Uijeongbu Station strongly criticized Moon Seok-gyun's candidacy, calling it a "dad chance" and "constituency inheritance." Photo by Kim Seong-yeol, intern reporter kary0330@asiae.co.kr

Some citizens showed an agitated reaction to Moon's actions. C, a self-employed person in his 50s who runs a fruit and vegetable store in the market, raised his voice, saying, "No matter how much you say it's not inheritance, that's just an excuse," and "Moon Seok-gyun running is a problem." He expressed frustration, saying, "He will absolutely lose."

There were also opinions expressing intent to cast a dissenting vote against Speaker Moon Hee-sang. D, a clothing store owner, said, "It's wrong from the start that Moon Seok-gyun is running. Moon Hee-sang hasn't done anything for Uijeongbu, so do you think he will support his son? It is inheritance, but I think he won't win," he asserted.

The reactions of young people in their 20s were similar to those of merchants met in the market. E (26), a female part-timer at a cafe near Uijeongbu Station, said, "I have always thought it is unfair for children to inherit their parents' abilities," showing a reaction of incomprehension.

F (21), a university student, said, "I didn't know much about the inheritance controversy," but raised his voice, saying, "I think it is wrong to gain opportunities through a father's influence." He added, "I was also angry about the Cho Kuk incident," expressing frustration that "the efforts of the younger generation seem to be ignored."

Moon Seok-gyun, the eldest son of Moon Hee-sang, Speaker of the National Assembly, has expressed his intention to run for the Uijeongbu Gap district in Gyeonggi Province. On the 22nd, citizens interviewed by Asia Economy near Uijeongbu Station unanimously criticized it as a "constituency inheritance" controversy. The photo shows Uijeongbu Station. Photo by Seong-yeol Kim, Intern Reporter kary0330@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, there was also a young person who compared Moon's 'inheritance controversy' to Choi Seo-won's 'state affairs manipulation' and expressed intense criticism.

G (23), a university student met near Uijeongbu Station, said, "The reason our age group was angry during the Choi Seo-won and Cho Kuk incidents was because those were unfair matters. I see Moon Seok-gyun's case as the same," emphasizing, "If his abilities have not been verified, then it is literally 'dad's influence'." He added, "I am absolutely opposed to such a member of the National Assembly."

Meanwhile, criticism is also emerging within the Democratic Party regarding Moon's candidacy. Some expect that the Democratic Party leadership will soon reach a conclusion in some form regarding the criticism of Moon, including the 'inheritance controversy.'

Kim Hae-young, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, pointed out at the Supreme Council meeting on the 21st, "It is hard to accept that a child receives a nomination and runs in the constituency of their parent."

Kim said, "As the chairperson of the party's youth organization, it is hard to accept the public sentiment that a child immediately receives the nomination of the same party in the constituency where their parent is currently a member of the National Assembly and runs in the next term," criticizing the practice.

He added, "If the child holds a key position in the local party committee where the parent is the regional chairman, it would be practically difficult for other party members to compete," pointing out, "Unlike Japan, in our country, the public generally does not agree with the inheritance of political power."