Mun "Let's Be Polite and Considerate" Can the 'Munpa' of 'Text Bombing' Change? [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

President Moon: "If messages are harsh and rude, they rather erode support more"

President Moon Jae-in is answering reporters' questions after delivering a special speech on the 4th anniversary of his inauguration at the Chunuchu-gwan Grand Briefing Room in the Blue House on the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] President Moon Jae-in has requested that his staunch supporters, known as the 'Moonpa,' exercise maximum courtesy amid controversies over their 'text message bombings,' drawing political attention to whether this could lead to a change in the Moonpa's behavior. Previously, within the Democratic Party of Korea, this issue sparked intense conflicts, including claims that elected officials must endure such situations and that it interferes with legislative activities.

On the 10th, during a Q&A session with reporters following a special speech marking his 4th anniversary in office at the Blue House Chunghwagan, President Moon emphasized regarding the related question, "When those messages are polite and persuasive, they can broaden support; conversely, if the messages are harsh and rude, they will rather erode support."

He further stressed, "If they truly support me, they should be even more courteous in their messages, considerate of others, and then seek to gain empathy and support in a way that applies to both political and non-political spheres. I earnestly ask for this."

President Moon's remarks on this day contrast with his past comments during his presidential candidacy, when he described the Moonpa's text message bombings as "a seasoning that makes the competition interesting." His current appeal is interpreted as a call for harmony amid internal party conflicts caused by the Moonpa.

Earlier, on the 2nd, in a video congratulatory message sent to the Democratic Party's national convention for electing the next leadership, President Moon had indirectly requested restraint, saying, "Debates should be inclusive and considerate, not excluding or hurting each other."

Cho Eung-cheon, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Photo by Yonhap News]

The Moonpa face criticism for blocking lawmakers' sincere and free expression of opinions, while claims of communication with the public are also made. Additionally, it is pointed out that elected officials must endure such situations.

On the 29th of last month, Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon strongly criticized the Moonpa and expressed concerns about the party's situation. In an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Cho said, "The voices of 700,000 party members are drowned out by 2,000 staunch supporters," adding, "A non-mainstream reform faction must emerge within the party for us to have hope in next year's presidential election."

Cho continued, "They say the Democratic Party is a 'one team,' but if you think about it inversely, it means going toward a 'pro-Moon one voice.' There may be differences in methods, but the staunch supporters seem unwilling to acknowledge them. Because they do not accept differences, they send text message bombings when they see other approaches."

Cho stated, "A so-called non-mainstream or reform faction must emerge for the Democratic Party to have hope in next year's presidential election," and added, "There are quite a few who oppose the staunch supporters, but at least 10 to 20 people should come forward and take a stand."

On January 5, 2019, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, the 'Moonpa Live Aid - Happy New Year Talk Show,' a New Year's event for supporters of President Moon Jae-in, was held. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Cho revealed part of the text messages. According to the disclosed messages, all were mocking, such as "If you wanted to let people know you are trash, you succeeded, congratulations," "All of you should leave the party and stop tarnishing the Democratic Party's name," and "Black-haired beasts."

On the other hand, lawmakers with a 'pro-Moon' inclination have different views. On the same day (the 29th of last month), lawmaker Yoon Gun-young appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said regarding the Moonpa's text message bombings, "If you are an elected official, you should endure that much," but added, "However, if the content seriously insults personal information or damages honor beyond a certain level, that is a problem."

Supreme Council member Kim Yong-min, during his time as a regular member, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and emphasized, "In a democratic society, such active expression of opinion should be encouraged. Especially, lawmakers must continuously listen to the voices of the people and party members."

The Moonpa's text message bombings also sparked controversy after the April 7 by-elections defeat. Five first-term Democratic Party lawmakers in their 20s and 30s issued a statement reflecting on the 'Cho Kuk incident' and were then subjected to 'text message terrorism.'