Pro-Moon Faction Unites Around 'Party Charter Article 80 Amendment'... Criticism Arises Even from Non-Mainstream Members

Growing Criticism Over Naeronambul and Revision Timing
Pro-Moon Group's Collective Backlash Following 'Jeondae Rule'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Attention is focused on the possibility of the pro-Moon Jae-in faction within the Democratic Party of Korea regrouping following opposition to the amendment of Article 80 of the party constitution. When Jeon Hae-cheol, a key figure in the pro-Moon faction, recently publicly expressed opposition to the amendment, other pro-Moon and non-mainstream members within the party quickly echoed his stance, calling the amendment "hypocritical."

On the 10th, Jeon stated, "Article 80 of the party constitution was part of the party reform plan approved during Moon Jae-in’s tenure as party leader in 2015," adding, "At that time, the Democratic Party, then the opposition, voluntarily relinquished vested interests and pledged to decisively break away from corruption, and this reform plan was a promise made to the public." He particularly hinted at Lee Jae-myung, a candidate for party leader, by saying, "This amendment is related to a specific candidate."

The pro-Moon faction immediately began voicing their opinions. On the 11th, Kim Jong-min said in a phone interview with this outlet, "I don’t understand why they want to make a decision now when there is no need to amend it," and expressed a negative view on the amendment, stating, "Since it is a discretionary clause, if it is deemed unfair, the party leadership can decide not to apply it." According to Article 80, party officials indicted on charges related to corruption must be suspended from their duties and investigated by ethics committees at all levels, but such decisions depend on the leadership’s discretion.

Lee Won-wook, a member of the Jeong Se-gyun faction classified as pro-Moon, also opposed the amendment in a phone interview that day, saying, "Then what was the original purpose of creating this article? Are you saying it was a mistake back then?" He added, "During elections, they push for a clean party, but when necessary, they completely abolish it, which is just like the nomination fiasco in the last by-election."

Pro-Moon lawmaker Ko Min-jung also criticized the amendment on KBS Radio’s "Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current," calling it an "unnecessary discussion," and said, "If they say they will amend it, there will be attacks that it is a shield for candidate Lee, and if they say they won’t, there will be talk about abandoning candidate Lee."

These reactions came amid assessments that the pro-Moon faction is not visible while the pro-Lee faction is gaining strength ahead of the upcoming party convention. Candidate Lee is continuing to win decisively in the leadership race, and candidates for the Supreme Council are also showing remarkable progress from Lee Jae-myung’s camp.

However, within the party, the prevailing view is that it will be difficult for the factions to fully unite. A party official analyzed, "This clearly shows the differing perspectives among the factions regarding the amendment of the party constitution," but added, "Given that ‘Hwidaemyeong’ (definitely Lee Jae-myung as party leader) is clear, it seems difficult for the pro-Moon faction to unite."

Nonetheless, non-mainstream members within the party are also joining the opposition to the amendment. Party leader candidate Park Yong-jin pointed out at a press conference that day, "There are concerns that this is unnecessarily stirring up trouble, inviting accusations of factionalism, and leading to a self-inflicted setback." Lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon also said on MBC Radio’s "Kim Jong-bae’s Focus," "Adjusting one’s hat under a plum tree is against public sentiment and continues the legacy of hypocrisy."