They Said They Would Reflect but Appointed Only Pro-Pro Moon Figures... Does the Ruling Party Have Any Will for Reform?

Discussion on Reform Fills Ruling Party's Next Leadership Candidates with Pro-문
Expert: "No Expectation for Reform if Composed of Pro-문"

Do Jong-hwan, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is striking the gavel at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 12th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Although discussions on reform directions are repeatedly taking place within the Democratic Party of Korea following the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections, questions are being raised about whether there is any genuine will for reform, as pro-Moon Jae-in figures are consecutively throwing their hats into the ring for the next leadership election.

Experts pointed out that if the next leadership of the Democratic Party is composed of pro-Moon members, there is no hope for reform.

On the 8th, the Democratic Party leadership resigned en masse taking responsibility for the by-election defeat, and on the 16th, the next floor leader election will be a two-person contest between four-term 'pro-Moon' lawmaker Yoon Ho-jung and three-term 'non-pro-Moon' lawmaker Park Wan-joo.

Yoon served as secretary-general under former party leader Lee Hae-chan and is known as a key pro-Moon figure who has stood by President Moon Jae-in since before the 2012 presidential election. Park served as floor deputy leader under floor leader Woo Sang-ho in 2016 and was active in the 'Democratic Peace People's Alliance' (Minpyeongryeon) and 'The Better Future,' which were centered around the 86 group.

Thus, the floor leader election has taken the form of a contest between pro-Moon and non-pro-Moon factions, but neither candidate made statements indicating a will for reform regarding the 'Cho Kuk incident,' which was pointed out as one of the causes of the election defeat.

At the floor leader candidate debate on the 12th, Yoon said about the 'Cho Kuk incident,' "The public has sufficiently evaluated and judged us through last year's general election."

Park said, "It is not right for the party culture to treat discussing the Cho Kuk incident as a taboo," but emphasized harmony by saying, "All Democratic Party lawmakers are pro-Moon who wish for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration."

Yoon Ho-jung and Park Wan-joo, candidates for the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are attending the joint debate for the 2nd floor leader candidates held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th, removing their masks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

For the next party leader, pro-Moon lawmakers Song Young-gil, Woo Won-shik, and Hong Young-pyo have declared their candidacies, leading to a prevailing view that regardless of who is elected, the party's stance is unlikely to change drastically.

Regarding the Cho Kuk incident, Hong said, "It is difficult to agree with evaluating it by linking personal issues with prosecutorial reform," and Woo also stated, "(Regarding the Cho Kuk incident) various reflections are coming out, but it is not appropriate to single out and hold individuals responsible."

Song said, "What is important is not to conceal and silence but to objectify through discussion," but did not provide specific opinions on the matter.

Meanwhile, some statements by certain Democratic Party lawmakers that contradict party reform efforts have been causing controversy day after day.

On the 9th, lawmaker Jung Chung-rae posted on his Facebook, "If Cho Kuk and prosecutorial reform were the problem, how could we have won the general election? If we deny our identity, we lose our loyal supporters," expressing opposition to the reflection movement within the Democratic Party regarding the Cho Kuk incident.

On the 12th, lawmaker Kim Nam-guk announced plans to communicate with an online community to listen to criticism directed at him, but then requested so-called 'fire support' from pro-government communities, showing a dual stance and causing controversy.

As a result, although full-scale innovation was announced after the election defeat, including discussions on reform plans, there are continuous criticisms that there is no sincerity or will behind it.

Experts pointed out that if the next leadership of the Democratic Party is composed of pro-Moon members, there is no hope for reform.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "The current situation of the Democratic Party is that pro-Moon purism is strong, and since most party members have shifted to pro-Moon tendencies, it does not seem that this nature will change easily," adding, "If the next leadership is also filled with pro-Moon members, there will practically be no expectation for Democratic Party reform."

He continued, "Currently, the party is moving toward a non-standing committee system, and an outsider should be brought in as chairman to consider the direction of party reform, but there is no sign of such a move at all," and predicted, "Rather, this election might increase the ruling party's sense of crisis about regime change, possibly leading to even tighter unity."