What Do You Think About Seoul Mayoral Candidates' "Country That Has Moon Jaein" Remarks?

Park Youngsun Says "A Country That Has Moon Jaein"
Woo Sangho: "Today Is the President's 69th Birthday"
Opposition: "Appalled by the Sole Focus on the 'Moon Hymn'"
Criticism That Not All of Seoul's 9.66 Million Residents Support the Ruling Party

Photo by Park Youngsun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups Facebook

[Asia Economy, reporter Han Seunggon] On January 24, several Democratic Party figures who declared their candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election posted congratulatory messages for President Moon Jaein's birthday. This has led to interpretations that these posts may be political statements aimed at the party's internal primary for the mayoral race.

This is because it would be difficult to gain an advantage in the primary without considering the "pro-Moon" (core supporters of President Moon Jaein who back his administration's policies and political philosophy) faction. For politicians running for Seoul mayor, such actions can be seen as a natural move.

However, some have expressed disappointment that these remarks were made publicly, given that not all Seoul citizens have a "pro-ruling party" stance. The opposition sharply criticized these statements, calling them a "Moon-hymn."

On January 24, Park Youngsun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups, posted on her Facebook page a birthday message for President Moon, stating, "The Republic of Korea is a country that has Moon Jaein! I already miss the times when I discussed policies with the President and the Cabinet."

On the morning of the 23rd, in Namdaemun Market, Jung-gu, Seoul, Representative Woo Sangho (right) and former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Youngsun, both candidates in the Seoul mayoral by-election primary, are having a conversation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Representative Woo Sangho also posted on Facebook, "Today, January 24, the day we strengthened our hope and determination to move forward, is the President's 69th birthday. With those same feelings, I wish him a happy birthday."

He continued, "I think back to this day four years ago, January 24, 2017, when the Democratic Party finalized the primary rules for nominating its 19th presidential candidate. Through this, we were able to welcome a Korea and a President we had never seen before. We were able to have a proper country and a reliable President."

The issue is that some Seoul citizens may be uncomfortable with such "pro-Moon" remarks. According to a resident registration population survey by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in December last year, Seoul's total population was 9,668,465. Since not all of these citizens are "pro-Moon," the recent series of public statements supporting Moon may be unwelcome to some. The opposition immediately criticized these remarks as nothing more than a strategic move to appeal to pro-Moon supporters. They also pointed out that politicians should focus on the people, not just the President.

Kim, a man in his 40s who lives in Seoul, said, "It's understandable that a ruling party politician would want to appeal to the President, especially with the Seoul mayoral primary coming up. Saying 'a country that has Moon Jaein' is something they can say." However, he added, "But making such statements publicly is another matter."

He continued, "Seoul citizens have a wide range of political views, so statements aimed at a specific party may be disappointing to those who do not support that party or its ideology."

Another office worker in his 30s, Park, commented, "I want to see an administrative expert who can manage Seoul well. Political skills are important, but I don't think these recent remarks are appropriate."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyungwon, who declared her candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election, is greeting merchants on the afternoon of the 23rd at Daerim Central Market in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Opposition figures running in the Seoul mayoral by-election strongly criticized the "country that has Moon Jaein" remarks. Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyungwon wrote on Facebook, "The people are no longer proud of being a country that has Moon Jaein. Follow the will of the people, not the will of Moon."

She went on to ask, "How can you talk about being a country that has Moon Jaein after seeing incompetent governance, a failed North Korea policy that amounts to unrequited love, soaring real estate prices, and the housing crisis faced by ordinary people?"

Former Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon also wrote on his Facebook page, "I was appalled by the phrase 'a country that has Moon Jaein.' The Republic of Korea is a country with great people."

He added, "It's sad to see someone running for Seoul mayor chanting a 'hymn to Moon' while ignoring the resentment and grief of citizens suffering through the COVID-19 era."

Kim Geunsik, Professor and head of the People Power Party's Songpa-byeong district committee in Seoul, also criticized, "The loyalty competition among the ruling party's Seoul mayoral candidates is a desperate attempt to win favor with the hardcore pro-Moon supporters in order to pass the primary. It's nothing more than blind praise from the most extreme pro-Moon faction." He continued, "The people want the success of the Republic of Korea and the happiness of its citizens, not just the success of the Moon Jaein administration."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Park Minsik also wrote on Facebook, "This is a loyalty relay for 'a country that has Moon Jaein' that would make even North Korea weep. Watching Democratic Party presidential hopefuls, Seoul mayoral candidates, and lawmakers engage in this embarrassing flattery relay, it looks like they might soon start a 'Moon Jaein Flattery Challenge.'"

He further criticized, "It's not just one or two people, but a competitive flattery contest that goes beyond vulgarity to the point of being dangerous. If public pledges of loyalty to the leader are required for success and survival, that is not a normal democratic system."

He added, "Even North Korea boasts about being a nuclear-armed state, but they don't call themselves a 'country that has Kim Jongun.' Watching this extreme flattery of 'a country that has Moon Jaein,' even North Korea might say, 'We give up,' and weep."

In response to these political criticisms, former Minister Park stated on Facebook the previous day (January 24), "Every single citizen is what makes the country great," dismissing the controversy.

She continued, "We are a country that has Son Heungmin, Kim Yuna, Ryu Hyunjin, Bong Joonho, BTS, delivery driver Lee Jaehwang (recipient of the Good Citizen Award), Admiral Yi Sunshin, King Sejong, the Korean alphabet, the turtle ship, and the special vaccine syringes needed by President Biden of the United States. Let's be proud. We deserve it. The Republic of Korea, a country of Seoul citizens, is something to be proud of!"

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party will accept preliminary candidate registrations for the April 7 re- and by-elections for three days from January 27 to 29. On the first day, January 27, a nationwide policy expo will be held in Seoul, where two candidates will deliver keynote speeches. The party's nomination management committee plans to hold its second meeting on January 29 to finalize the screening and interview process.