Mun Seok-gyun Not Running... Jin Joong-kwon Says, "'That Family's Son-in-Law' Should Stop Tarnishing His Father-in-Law's Reputation"

Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Moon Seokgyun, the standing vice chairman of Uijeongbu Gap in Gyeonggi Province, who had sparked controversy over 'constituency inheritance' by announcing his intention to run in the district where his father, National Assembly Speaker Moon Heesang, served six terms, has ultimately decided to give up running in the general election.

On the 23rd, Vice Chairman Moon stated in a press release, "Today, with the spirit of 'serving the party before the family,' I have decided to let go of my intentions without regret," adding, "Although I feel some regret, I believe this is a fate I must bear."

In response to the controversy over 'constituency inheritance,' Moon Seok-gyun, son of Moon Hee-sang, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Standing Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party in Uijeongbu Gap, withdrew his candidacy for the 21st general election on the 23rd. / Photo by Yonhap News

He continued, "I will not lose courage," and added, "From now on, I will strive with the mindset that this is a new beginning."

He also expressed, "I am deeply grateful and sorry to everyone who supported me, especially the citizens of Uijeongbu and party members," concluding with, "I apologize for not meeting expectations until the end."

Earlier, on the 11th, Vice Chairman Moon held a book concert to commemorate the publication of his book 'The Son of That House' and declared his candidacy for the general election. However, the Gyeonggi Uijeongbu Gap electoral district, where he registered as a preliminary candidate, is the same district where his father, Speaker Moon, served six terms as a lawmaker.

In this context, some criticized him, suggesting that he was trying to inherit the constituency using his 'dad chance.'

Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn and floor leader Shim Jae-cheol, among others, are condemning the controversy over the hereditary succession of Moon Seok-gyun, the standing vice chairman of the Democratic Party's Uijeongbu Gap district committee in Gyeonggi Province and son of National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, at a members' meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

At the book concert, Vice Chairman Moon emphasized, "At 50 years old, it is really disappointing to be called a hereditary candidate or to say that I am doing this by my father's will," adding, "I will follow my father's path, but I firmly reject the 'dad chance.'

However, the Liberty Korea Party rebutted at the time, stating, "Everyone who attended the book concert mentioned Moon Heesang's name in their congratulatory speeches," and questioned, "If he were not Speaker Moon's son, would so many influential politicians have attended Moon Seokgyun's event?"

Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also pointed out on Facebook, "If the current electoral district originally belonged to the father, then that is a 'dad chance.'"

He added, "One-third of the Liberal Democratic Party members in Japan are hereditary lawmakers, and this feudalistic bad custom has somehow become publicly accepted in our society," and claimed, "It seems the Democratic Party will approve this feudal inheritance."

He further criticized Vice Chairman Moon's candidacy declaration, saying, "After this incident, we will no longer be able to call inheritance 'inheritance,'" and "We will experience a world never before seen, where privilege and unfairness are inherited without any shame."

After Vice Chairman Moon gave up his candidacy, former professor Jin said, "You made a wise decision," and added, "I hope 'the son-in-law of that house' also stops tarnishing his father-in-law's reputation."

'The son-in-law of that house' appears to refer to lawyer Kwak Sang-eon, the son-in-law of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, who declared his candidacy for the Chungbuk Boeun, Okcheon, Yeongdong, and Goesan district on the 22nd.

Earlier, concerns were also raised within the Democratic Party regarding Vice Chairman Moon's decision to run in the general election.

Democratic Party Supreme Council member Kim Hye-young pointed out on the 20th, "It is difficult to accept the public sentiment when a child immediately runs for the same party's nomination in a district where their parent is currently a lawmaker."

Kim Seong-hwan, a Democratic Party lawmaker serving as the party leader's secretary, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 22nd and said, "The value of fairness has recently risen significantly in our society, so we have conveyed the party's concerns and the public sentiment to Speaker Moon and the parties involved," adding, "I expect that he will make a wise decision."